:0- y V Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/baptisthistoryofOOshanrich VME GEORGE NUGENT HOM& L^>v^ JOR BAPTISTS. T. M. SHANAFEL,T, D. D. TUB BAPTIST HISTORY OK SOUTH DAKOTA, BY X. ]Vl./^HANAKKIvTr, D. 13., State Superintendent of Missions. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY O. A. W^ILLIAIVIS, D. D. Published by the SOUTH DAKOTA BAPTIST CONVENTION. BROWN A SAENQER, PTRS., SIOUX FALLS. Copyrigtited, iSqq, \-yy X. ]VI. SHANAKKLT. Copyright Transferred to the South Dakota Baptist Convention. CONTENTS. PAGES. Introduction 5-10 Preface -« .1 11-14 Chapter I. Dakota Territory . 15-25 Chapter II. South Dakota 26-32 Chapter III. Early Beg-inning-s 33-47 Chapter IV. Prog-ress of the Work 48-59 Chapter V. The Last Decade 60-73 Chapter VI. The First Baptist Missionaries 74-85 Chapter VII. Rev. J. E. Rockwood 86-95 Chapter VIII. Chaplain G. D. Crocker - 96-101 Chapter IX. Rev. Georg-e W. Freeman 102-109 Chapter X. Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt 110-112 Chapter XI. Rev. J. J. Mclntire 113-121 Chapter XII. Rev. William T. Hill 122-126 ivi6^1307 4 CONTENTS. PAGES Chapter XIII. Rev. V. B. Conklin 127-130 Chapter XIV. Rev. J. P. Coffman 331-139 Chapter XV. Rev. G. S. Cleveng-er 140 145 Chapter XVI. The Black Hills 146-161 Chapter XVII. Scandinavian Baptists 162-185 Chapter XVIII. German and Russian Baptists 186-108 Chapter XIX. Associations 199-209 Chapter XX. The State Convention 210-216 Chapter XXI. Relation to Missionary Societies - - 217-227 Chapter XXII. Sioux Falls College 228-237 Chapter XXIII. The Dakota or Sioux Indians 238-244 Chapter XXIV. Statistical Review - - 245-267 Appendix. INTRODUCTION. This g-eneration is living- in a epoch of history mak- ing". The United States census of 1890 revealed facts respecting- the material g-rowth and development of this country to which there has been no parallel in the his- tory of the world. Invention has multiplied many fold man's capacity and power for work. By the applica- tion of these inventions to the farm and to the factory, to commerce and to transportation, this g-rowth has been made possible. When the second half of the century now drawing- to a close beg-an, the vast reg-ion known as the Mississippi valley was for the most part the hunting- g-round of the red man, and the home of the buffalo and the antelope. Under the industrious hand of the pioneer settler, the desert has been made to blossom as the rose. In 1850 the population of the twelve prairie states, including- Ohio, Indiana, Michig-an, Illinois and Mis- souri, was 5,400,000; in 1890 it was 22,362,000. During- this period of forty years, the vir-g-in soil in these twelve states was chang-ed into productive farms, at the rate of 13,000 acres per day. Two-thirds of the g-rain produced, and of the live stock raised, are found in these twelve states. Their development in manufac- turing- interests has not been less marvellous. In 1850 they reported 111,000 operatives earning- $20,000,000 in wag-es. In 1890 there were 1,407,000 operatives earn- 6 INTRODUCTION. ing- $672,000,000 in wages, and turning- out manufac- tured products to the amount of $3,000,000,000. The railroads of these twelve states exceed, in the number of miles, the ag-g-reg-ate railroads of Prance, Germany, Russia and Austria. The increase of wealth in this period has been at the rate of $190,000,000 per annum. The wealth of these states multiplied six fold in thirty years, while it only doubles in fifty years in Great Britain. In 1860 the first wheat was shipped from the north- west. There were between six hundred and seven hundred bag-s, not enoug-h to make a barg-e load. In 1895 the Great Northern Railway alone carried 65,000,000 bushels. Between the years 1870 and 1892 there were ex- pended in the construction of railroads between Lake Superior and Pug-et Sound, as far south as the south- ern line of Minnesota, including- South Dakota, $400,- 000,000. The children of this world showed much wisdom in their g-eneration. Can we say as much re- specting- the children of lig-ht? Has the King-dom of Christ in this reg-ion made corresponding- prog-ress? Has the moral and relig-ious sentiment of the nation kept pace with its industrial and commercial enter- prise? At the present time expansion is the inevitable des- tiny of the nation. As the result of the war with Spain, she is called upon. to solve new problems and to meet new responsibilities. What shall be the watch- word of the church in this crisis? Shall it not be, "The Islands of the Sea for Christ?" God has opened the door of opportunity to christianize the dwellers of these islands. Dare we refuse to g-o up and possess them? INTRODUCTION. 7 Our fathers, endowed with almost a seer's vision, foresaw the coming- millions who were to occupy the fertile prairies of the west. They recog-nized it as the duty of the hour to carry the gospel to the reg-ions be- yond, and to org-anize and plant churches in the new settlements. The g-rowth of the Baptist denomination and the dissemination of Baptist principles show how wisely and faithfully they did their work. Shall their children be less faithful to their inherited trust? In 1870 South and North Dakota, then a territory, had two Baptist churches. Today the state of South Dakota has 106 churches, and 5,835 members. In 1870 the Baptists of the United States numbered^09,958; today they number over 4,000,000. In 1790 the Bap- tists constituted one in sixty of the population. In 1840 it was one in twenty-nine of the population; in 1870, one in twenty-seven; in 1898, approximately one in every seventeen. Pig-ures like these reveal to us the fact that America has -been a fruitful soil for the propag-ation of Baptist principles, and that the work of our denomination has been more productive of results here than in any part of the world. Students of American history have recog-nized the influence of these principles in the establishment of our g-overn- ment, and in the formation of our institutions. Re- lig-ious liberty, and the separation of church and state, principles advocated and defended at one time exclusively by Baptists, have been the corner-stone of the republic. Baptists, therefore, should be pre-eminently enthusi- astic and ag-g-ressive in the work of evang-elizing- our composite population. While no part of the world should be neg-lected, the conditions which exist in the new world should prove an encourag-ement and an in- 8 Introduction. spiration to the greatest sacrifice and the most heroic effort in seeking- the evang-elization of our own country. Home missions should be prosecuted with earnestness, as a matter of self-protection and self-preservation. Christianity is the chief bulwark of the nation. Our g-overnment and our institutions will be safe in the hands of Christian people. Ivet men in authority be g-overned by the spirit of Christ and the principles of the g-ospel, and corruption in hig-h places, or at the ballot box, will no long-er threaten to subvert the in- teg-rity of the nation. Rulers and the ruled will seek the g-reatest gfood of the g-reatest number. In no other way than by the application of these principles can the social questions that confront us be rig-htly solved. America should be saved not alone for its own sake, but for the sake of the world. Matthew Arnold says, " Ainerica holds the future." Prof. Hopkins says, "America Christianized means the world Christian- ized." Alexander Hamilton says, "It is ours to be either the g-rave in which the hopes of the world shall be entombed, or the pillar of cloud that shall pilot the race onward to immortal g-lory." In the planting- of this Protestant Christian nation on this continent, we can trace the divine hand as truly as in the call of Abraham and the settlement of the Hebrews in Canaan. As it was the purpose of God that the Hebrews should become the channel throug-h which blessing-s should flow to all the families of the earth, is it not as truly His purpose that America should be the channel throug-h which the blessing-s of the g-ospel should flow to other nations? Can we not see His purpose in its preservation to Protestant Christianity? When the pilg-rim fathers reached the shores of New Eng-land, Spain was mistress of the seas. Her citizens INTRODUCTION. 9 were the pioneer explorers in all lands. Her sovereignty extended over all of South America except Brazil, over all Central America, over all the land bordering- on the Gulf of Mexico, over all the land west of the Mississippi now included within the United States, and over the Florida peninsula. Had anyone in the early history of this country attempted to forecast the nature and character of the civilization that should control it, he would have said that Latin Catholicism rather than Ang-lo-Saxon Protestantism would have been the domi- nant element. But what are the facts today? The sovereig^nty of Spain has been driven out of the new world. Here, without the support of the state, has been built the most distinctively Protestant nation on the face of the earth. On what other principle can we explain this marvelous reversal of that which seemed inevitable, except that God purposed it, and that He purposed it for the sake of the world. One of the chief factors in producing" the civilization which we now enjoy has been the work of the mission- ary in preaching- the 'g-ospel, and planting* the church in the new settlements. To no class of men does the country owe a g-reater debt of g-ratitude than to the pioneer preachers. The historian of today, who will with care, and without bias, record the story of these relig-ious beg-inning-s, of the hardships, sacrifices and heroism of Christian workers, will render to coming* g*enerations a noble service. This work can be done at no other time so well as while the actors who played so prominent a part in the laying* of these foundations are still with us. With them will pass away a knowledg*e of facts and incidents, of suffering* and devotion, that oug*ht to be preserved as a priceless heritag*e. *'Tell it to the generation following." The task is 10 INTRODUCTION. not an easy one. There are many difficulties. In these newer states the population is unsettled; it is con- stantly chang-ing- and shifting-. Many churches which, at the time of their org-anization, g-ave promise of g-rowth and usefulness, in the course of a few years became ex- tinct, and their records are lost. Even where the records have been preserved (often without much care, and with little reg-ard to their importance) it is no small task to examine and sift them, and out of the mass to g'ather and preserve that which is to be of value to those coming- after us. I cong-ratulate the Baptists of South Dakota that in this state the work has fallen into the hands of one so emi- nently fitted for the task. Rev. T. M. Shanafelt, D. D., is not only intimately acquainted with the work and the workers, but has been for years their leader in it. He not only knows what has been done, but he has also had a prominent part in the doing-. This volume is a valu- able contribution to the history of Baptists in America. Similar work should be done at once in other states. "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God hath led thee." O. A. WILLIAMS. Minneaj)olis^ Jan, lo^ i8gg. PREFACE. The object of this volume is to give a record of the planting- and training- of Baptist churches on what was not long" ag"o the frontier, and to tell the story of the trials and experiences of some of the pioneers who have been helping- to mould the character and destiny of a new state.. It has been deemed advisable to do this while early records are still preserved, and before all of the early actors in the events recorded have passed away. Too little attention is g'iven to collecting* and preserv- ing- the records of past events, before they become scattered and lost, and securing- oral or written state- ments of the experiences of those who have shared in making- the beg-inning-s of history. Our work is too intimately connected with the foundational work that preceded it, to justify us in ig-noring- the past. "Other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors." We labor more intellig-ently, and accomplish more, when we know how our predecessors wroug-ht, and what they achieved. "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee." We are to know how he led the fathers in their day, and in the lig-ht of that knowledg-e we can have a clearer understanding- of the way of duty in our own times, and see how his Provi- dential leading- throug-h the trying- scenes of the past, has been preparing- the way for our labors and achieve- ments in the present. The ag-e in which we live is made richer by the expe- riences and triumphs of other days. They come to us as a sacred leg-acy, which should be treasured and 12 PREFACE. utilized by us, while we are endeavoring- to accomplish our mission. Ere long- we must pass them on to others, enriched by the results of what we have done. No ag-e can live for itself alone. It is indissolubly connected with those which precede and follow. We need the records of failures and achievements in the past, since it serves us the double purpose of a caution and a stimulus, while we are on the stag-e of action, perform- ing- our part in the drama of life. And this record of what our fathers did or failed to do, we must transmit to those who come after us. It is a history of how God has been pleased to operate, throug-h his people, from ag-e to ag-e, in the seeming-ly slow but effective and sure plan to benefit mankind and evang-elize the world. Each g-eneration is to be a revealer to its successor, of the thing's that have g-one before. "One g-eneration shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mig-hty acts." The author realizes that he is practically a pioneer in the important work of collecting-, and preparing- for pub- lication, the materials available for a state denomina- tional history. It has rarely been attempted in any of the older eastern states. There the abundant wealth of material, once available, if it had been utilized, would now be of incalculable value, to the denomina- tion and to the world. With the sing-le exception of the Baptist history of Iowa, no state in the west has yet issued a historical volume, g-iving- the record of the trials and triumphs of Baptists in the development of the g-reat northwest. The new state of South Dakota thus stands comparatively alone in the Derformance of a duty which it owes to its pioneer missionaries, to its present workers, and to the Baptist denomination at larg-e. With the timidity and modesty becoming- to PREFACE. 13 youth, it takes its place as a leader in a movement where it oug-ht to have had many examples. At the annual meeting- of the South Dakota Baptist Convention, in 1889, the writer of this history was ap- pointed Baptist historian, and custodian of historical papers and documents. It was necessary, first, to se- cure the preparation of such sketches as were desired. Realizing- that one of the g-reatest difficulties of the his- torian is securing- the needed materials, an effort was made to obtain complete files of the proceeding's of the associations and of the state convention, and per- suade the surviving- pioneers to prepare historical pa- pers, g-iving- their knowledg-e of events as they wroug-ht them, with interesting- reminiscences of the experi- ences in which they shared in the early days. Several papers of this kind have been secured. Since the story of past events is always most interesting- when told by those who had a part in creating- them, they are published in this volume as valuable and helpful contri- butions to the Baptist history of South Dakota. While the work of collecting- materials has been in prog-ress for several years, the preparation of the vol- ume for the press was delayed until its publication seemed to be necessary. This has now been done at the earnest request of the South Dakota Baptist Convention. It is published by the Convention. The manuscript and copyright have been transferred to it as an expres- sion of the author's appreciation of the unbroken har- mony that has prevailed during- the nearly eleven years of his official relation to the Convention, as state su- perintendent of missions, and the uniform kindness and co-operation of pastors and churches throug-hout the state. In the closing- statistical chapter, and elsewhere, are 14 PREFACE. g-iven a number of important statistical tables. With a view to assisting- South Dakota Baptist readers of this book in the coming* years, to make convenient compari- sons in the growth of our denomination, between their standpoint and that of the present, some summary sta- tistical tables are published in the appendix, and also tables of anniversaries of the associations, now and hitherto existing, and of the state convention. The field of operations of which this history aims to be a correct record is the state of South Dakota. But since the beginning of Baptist missionary work upon it in 1864, it continued for twenty-five years, or until 1889, to be the southern half of Dakota Territory. It has enjoyed the rights and privileg-es of statehood for a period of only ten years. We have been looking back- ward over a past record. Its history is here recorded. From this dividing ridge between the past and the fu- ture, we strain our eyes to see if we can catch a vision of what is beyond us. We can only obey the command of Him who said: "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they GO forward." For what has been accom- plished we thank God. As citizens we rejoice in the peace, and plenty, and prosperity of our state. As Baptists we rejoice in the prog-ress we have made as a denomination, and that we have a record of success and growth of which we need not be ashamed. Treasuring these records of what God has done for us and through us hitherto, we now hand them down to posterity. Thus we endeavor to obey the Divine injunction: "Walk about Zion, and go round about her; tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; THAT YE MAY tell it to the genera- tion FOLLOWING." T. M. SHANAFELT. Huron^ S, D.^ Jaitiiary 12^ i8gg. CHAPTER I. DAKOTA TERRITORY. The Baptist history of South Dakota dates from the earliest known record of missionary work, beg-inning- in 1864. Relig-ious and secular history, having- a nearly common starting- point, are to be traced along- parallel lines. To follow the prog-ress and g-rowth of Baptist churches, beg-inning- with the preliminary work of L. P. Judson, and the pioneer labors of J. E. Rock- wood, G. W. Freeman and others, will require a sketch of most of the period of the history of Dakota Territory. A correct understanding- of the work that has been accomplished, renders necessary a description of the field of operations. This was orig-inally Dakota Terri- tory, but it is now the state of South Dakota. In 1803, President JefPerson purchased from Prance an immense reg-ion of country along- the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, extending- from the Gulf of Mexico northward to the British Possessions, and westward to the Rocky Mountains. From this vast territory, which in the early part of the century was thoug-ht to be of little value, have been formed several of the most pro- ductive and promising- states in the west and north- west. It was at first called the Louisiana Territory. It soon after formed a part of the Missouri Territory, and was later annexed to Indiana Territory. As new states were formed it underwent several chang-es of 16 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. name. After Indiana and Illinois were admitted to the Union, it formed a part of Michig-an Territory, which then included Wisconsin, Minnesota, and all the country east of the Missouri river. When Michig-an became a state in 1837, it was included in Wisconsin Territory, and after Wisconsin reached the dig-nity of statehood in 1848, it was attached to Minnesota Terri- tory. After Minnesota became one of the states of the Union, May 11, 1858, the country afterwards known as Dakota was outside of any territory, and had no recog-- nized existence until Dakota Territory was established, March 2, 1861. It was occupied only by Indians. The country over which they roamed came to be known as Dakota from the g-reat confederation of Indian tribes called the Dakotas. Dakota Territory came into existence by act of con- g-ress, approved by President Buchanan March 2, 1861. It then extended as far west as the Rocky Mountains. Its southern boundary was what are now the states of Nebraska and Wyoming-, on the north line were the British Possessions, and on the east the states of Min- nesota and Iowa. A few years later there were formed from it Wyoming-, Montana and a portion of Idaho Ter- ritories. The present western boundary of what was Dakota Territory are the states of Montana and Wy- oming-. It is interesting- to notice how a dozen states, some of them larg-er in area than most of the empires and king-doms of Europe, were carved out of the orig-inal "Louisiana Purchase" of 1803. The so-called states- men who, at the beg-inning- of the century, opposed the purchase of so vast a territory, on the g-round that it was a desert country, and useless, did not have the ability to foresee that before its close, a population of ^± x-t Vbs»«(* i -^. 1> FIRST BAPTIST CKUKCH, V JiKMll.I.10N. CnUKCII ORGANIZED IN LOG SCHOOL HOUSE FEBRUARY l6, 1868. FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED JUNE 4, 1872. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, VERMILLION, PRESENT HOUSE OK WORSHIP DEDICATED MAY iS, 1S9O. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 17 thirteen millions of people would be occupying- the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming- and Indian Territory and Okla- homa. What were supposed, in an early day to be barren wastes, fit only for wild beasts and Indians, have proved to be fertile plains and valleys, and the "Great American Desert" of the early histories and g-eog-ra- phies has become a source of incalculable wealth in the products of the field and of the mine. Dakota Territory was larg-er in size than any state or territory in the United States, except Texas and Cali- fornia. Its area was 150,932 square miles. Its g-reat- est leng-th, from north to south, was four hundred and fifty miles, and its breadth, from east to west, was three hundred and eig-hty-five miles. With the excep- tion of the Black Hills on the west, and Turtle Moun- tain on the north, the land is mainly rolling- prairie and plain, with a rich and productive soil. The Indians, who were its first inhabitants, for more than two hun- dred years occupied the Black Hills, and roved over the prairies of Dakota comparatively undisturbed by white men until within the last g-eneration. When Da- kota Territory was org-anized in 1861, it included about thirty-two thousand Indians, and a white population of about two thousand ^ve hundred. The first known white settler was a French-Canadian trader, who established a trading* post at Pembina, in 1780. He was still living- there at the time of the visit of Major Long-'s exploring- expedition in 1823. In 1784, David Thompson, the astronomer and scientific repre- sentative of the Hudson Bay Company, visited the valley of the Red River of the North, and other rivers, and ascertained the latitude and long-itude of Pembina. 18 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. That locality and the country further north and east, early in the century, was so little known to the world that it w^as referred to in the early editions of Morse's geography as "an unknown country." In 1805, when Lieutenant Zebulon Pike was on his way up the head- waters of the Mississippi river, to explore its source, on arriving- at Red Lake he found a trading' post, established in 1788, from whose flag-staff was still floating- the British flag*. The first building- of a permanent char- acter was erected in 1797, by a Frenchman, Charles Chabollier, on the south side of the Pembina river, near its junction with the Red River of the North. These were the fore-runners of representatives of the Hudson Bay Company, and several British and American Pur companies which were established near the close of the eig-hteenth and during- the early years of the nineteenth century. Lord Selkirk built a fort at Pembina during- the war of 1812. Several years later on finding- that it was on the American side of the international bound- ary it was torn down and rebuilt on British territory. After the "Louisiana Purchase" in 1803, it was deemed necessary for the g-overnment to know some- thing- of the character and value of its possessions in the northwest. The Lewis and Clark expedition across the continent, which was sent out by President Jeffer- son, on their way up the Missouri river, held numerous conferences with the various Dakota Indian tribes, and thus obtained the first g-eneral information concerning- their number and condition. This was in 1804-5-6. In 1832 the American Pur Company, founded by John Jacob Astor, for the protection of their trading- posts along- the Missouri river and elsewhere, caused several forts to be erected. Port Pierre was built by Pierre Choteau in 1829; about the same time Port Lookout THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP^ SOUTH DAKOTA. 19 was erected near Chamberlain. Both of these ceased to be used as military posts in 1858. More than fifty years ag-o several trading- establishments were located along- the James river. Previous to 1830 the only facili- ties for navig-ation were by means of canoes and barg-es. During* that year Pierre Choteau was instrumental in bringing- up the Missouri river, as far as Pierre, the steamers Antelope and Yellowstone. These facts are mentioned to indicate the early be- g-inning-s of immig-ration and civilization. Prog-ress in taking- possession of a country so fertile and so full of resources, was necessarily slow but sure. Numerous acts of hostility by Indians g-ave evidence that the orig-inal inhabitants resented the encroachments of white settlers and traders. A few settlements that started were abandoned, but here and there little com- munities of hardy and courag-eous pioneers were estab- lished. These were mainly in Yankton, Clay, Union and Minnehaha counties in the southeastern portion of the territory, and the Pembina settlement in the north- east. According- to the census of 1860, the population of the territory, not including- hostile Indians, was only 4,837, and of these 2,261 were Indians not sustaining- tribal relations. Repeated Indian raids, especially along- the Sioux river in 1856-7-8, convinced the early settlers of the necessity for some kind of org-anization which would g-ive them a claim on the g-eneral g-overn- ment for protection. The fact has been already shown that after Minne- sota became a state. May 11, 1858, for nearly three years Dakota had no legal existence and consequently no recognized government. Notwithstanding the weakness, numerically, of the white population, a con- 20 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. vention was held at Sioux Palls, September 18, 1858, various localities being- represented. It was decided to form a provisional territorial organization, and an election was ordered to choose members of a territorial legislature. Henry Masters as president of the coun- cil was made acting- g-overnor, and A. G. Puller was sent as deleg-ate to Washington, with a memorial asking Congress to establish a territqrial government. This movement was unsuccessful. In 1859, another provi- sional legislature was elected. W. W. Brookings was chosen governor in place of Henry Masters, deceased, and J. P. Kidder was sent as delegate to Congress. Another memorial was presented, and this also resulted in failure. The first treaty with the Dakota Indians was made at Traverse-de-Sioux in 1851, at which time the north- ern tribes ceded to the government a large portion of western Minnesota, and also a narrow strip on the east side of what is now South Dakota, between the Sioux river and the state line of Minnesota, and extending northward along the western shore of Big Stone Lake. The next important treaty was consummated April 19, 1858. At this time the Indians were prevailed upon to sell to the government a territgry equal to about two- thirds of the present state of South Dakota, lying east of the Missouri river, and south of a line running from the north end of Lake Kampeska westward to the Mis- souri. In consideration of this cession of their land, the United States g-overnment agreed to pay to the Indians at stated times, covering a period of fifty years, an amount equal to $1,600,000, and the Indians were removed, some of them unwillingly, to their res- ervations north and west. After these treaties, which encouraged immig^ration THE BAPTIST HivSTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 21 and promised greater safety to settlers, the way now seemed to be open for another movement towards securing- a territorial g-overnment. Former efforts had been unsuccessful. A convention was held at Yank- ton, commencing- December 27, 1860, and soon after an earnest memorial to Cong-ress was adopted, January 15, 1861. A bill to establish Dakota Territory was passed in the closing- days of President Buchanan's administration. It was approved by him March 2, 1861. One of the first official acts of President Lincoln was the appointment of territorial officers, including- Wil- liam Jayne, of Illinois, as g-overnor. At the beg-inning* of his .administration Governor Jayne ordered a cen- sus of the territory to be taken. This was imperfectly done, and resulted as follows : Clay and Union dis- tricts, 696 ; Sioux Palls district, 40 ; Bon Homme dis- trict, 269 ; Yankton district, 287 ; Red River district, 500. Total, 1,776. Of these 560 were half breeds. Of the 1,216 white people, 757 were males and 459 were females. Another report, which w^as unofficial, made the total white population 2,402, and the total white and mixed population 2,879. The following- persons served as governors of Dakota Territory : William Jayne, Newton Edmunds, A. J*. Paulk, John A. Burbank, John L. Penning-ton, William A. Howard, N. G. Ordway, Gilbert A. Pierce, Louis K. Church and A. C. Mellette. The capital of the territory was located at Yankton in 1861, and remained there until it was removed to Bismarck in 1883. The first two or three sessions of the leg-islature were devoted mainly to g-etting- the machinery of the territorial g-overnment in operation, establishing military posts, and public highways, and providing means of defense against Indian depreda- tions. These continued to be of frequent occurrence, 22 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. and kept the early settlers much of the time on the defensive, and on two or more occasions, caused many of them to abandon their new homes and growing- crops. In 1862, two companies of volunteer cavalry were au- thorized by the Secretary of War for frontier defense. These companies, which were commanded by Captains Nelson Minor and William Tripp, were kept for the protection of the settlement in the southern portion of the territory. In 1853, after the massacre at New Ulm, Minn., the Indians became more hostile. Gen- eral Sully was sent into Dakota with a force of nearly 2,500 troops, and rendered effective service in holding- the southern tribes in check, and punishing them severely. Fort Sully was built by his command, and it was continued as a military post for nearly thirty years. General Sibley was also sent into the territory in command of an army of over 4,000 soldiers, and after several successful encounters with the northern tribes, they were compelled to submit to the authority of the government. After 1866, Indian outbreaks were of comparatively rare occurrence, and peace and quietness generally prevailed. This resulted in the substantial growth of settlements already in existence, and the formation of new ones in various localities. The population rapidly increased, especially in seven or eight of the south- eastern countries. According to the census of 1870 the total population of the territory was 14,182. During the following decade, and especially near its close, the immigration to Dakota from eastern states and foreign countries was marvelous. The census of 1880 developed the fact that the population had in- creased to 135,180. At the close of 1883 the lowest estimate was 250,000. In the earlier years, with the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 23 exception of Pembina and a few localities along the Red river, nearly all of the settlements had been es- tablished in the southern counties of the territory. From this period onward many of the northern coun- ties were rapidly occupied by courag-eous and enter- prising- settlers. Scores of thriving- young- cities and villag'es were created, and for several years they had a rapid g-rowth. Railroads were constructed, churches and school houses were built, and all the sig-ns of pros- perity seemed to be abundant. The wonderful increase in population and the pos- session of all the elements of strength and prosperity, led the people to desire something- better than a terri- torial form of g-overnment. The territory was so larg-e that the successful administration of any form of ofovernment was difficult. For several vears there was a practically unanimous desire for the division of the territory and admission to the union as two states. Efforts and appeals for the accomplishment of this end were begun in 1871, and several times renewed. In 1883 an attempt was made to bring about a division of the territory and the admission of the southern half of it as a state. Three hundred and fifty delegates rep- resenting the southern half of the counties in the ter- ritory assembled in convention at Huron, June 19, 1883, to consider the needs and possibilities of statehood. This resulted in the calling of a constitutional conven- tion at Sioux Falls, September 4, at which time a care- fully prepared constitution was approved and sub- mitted to the voters of the proposed new state. The result of this election was the adoption of the constitu- tion by a majority of 5,522, out of a total vote of 19,150. The portion of the territory out of which it was pro- 24 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. posed to form the new state was practically the same as that which is included in the present state of South Dakota. It had an area of over 76,000 square miles, a population of 200,000, and over 1,500 miles of railroad lines. It had numerous prosperous cities and villag-es, and there were among- its inhabitants all the resources of wealth, energy and enterprise necessary to consti- tute a flourishing- state. The appeal to cong-ress was ig-nored and the hopes of the people were disappointed. The question of statehood had become one of supreme importance, for it deeply concerned all the people of the territory. The persistent failure of cong-ress to admit Dakota into the union either as one state or two, was the result, not of statesmanship, but of partisan- ship. The appeals of the people were deliberately dis- reg-arded, and they were denied the rig-hts of citizen- ship, thoug-h they had long- met all the conditions pre- requisite to admission. After the failure to secure recog-nition in 1883, the provisional leg-islature, elected under the constitution that had been adopted, provided for holding- a constitu- tional convention, September 8, 1885, at Sioux Palls. The constitution submitted by that convention and soon afterward adopted, is substantially the same as the present constitution of the state of South Dakota. A legislature was elected and state officers chosen. The legislature met in Huron, the place agreed upon for temporary capital. The provisional governor, A. C. Mellette, presented his message, bills, were passed in the interest of prospective stjatehood, and G. C. Moody and A. C. Edgerton were elected United States Senators. This eifort to secure a recognition of the rights of the people was also ignored. Pour years more of uncertainty and tedious waiting were neces- DANEVII.L.E BAPTIST CHURCH (Danish), VIBORG. CHURCH ORGANIZED DECEMBER 31, 1S73. FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED JUNK 14, 1878. DESTROYED BY FIRE AVRII, 2, 1S89. PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED NOVEMBER lO, 1889. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 25 sary before justice was done to a long" suffering" and not always patient people. Relief came in 1889. A bill passed both houses of congress, and was approved by President Cleveland February 22, 1889, by which Dakota Territory was divided, and the necessary con- ditions of statehood were specified, including" the elec- tion of state officers and the adoption of a constitution. These conditions having" been fully met, by proclama- tion of President Harrison, dated November 2, 1889, the two states of South Dakota and North Dakota were formally admitted into the Union. CHAPTER II. SOUTH DAKOTA The history of Dakota Territory, briefly summarized in the preceding- chapter, is practically the history of the early events and experiences in South Dakota. The first settlements in the territory beg-an in the southeastern portion and extended in a northwesterly direction along- the Missouri river, and northward along- the valley of the Sioux river. With the except- ion of the earlv settlement at Pembina, in the extreme northeast corner of the territory, the entire northern portion was for many years practically unoccupied by white people. A few resolute pioneers ventured to settle along- the fertile valley of the Red River of the North, but the entire population of what is now the state of North Dakota, did not exceed five hundred until sometime after 1870. On the division of the territory in 1889, the dividing- line was the seventh standard parallel. The state of South Dakota has an area of 76,620 square miles, or 29, 036,800 acres. The g-reatest leng-th, from east to west, is three hundred and sixty miles; its breath, from north to south, is nearly two hundred and fifty miles. Its natural divisions are the valleys of the Missouri, Sioux and James rivers, the Sioux Indian reservation and the Black Hills. It has seventy-nine counties; some of these are unusually larg-e. The Black Hills, THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 27 occupying- an area of about six thousand square miles, are located on the west of the state. The portion of the state that has been longest settled and brought under cultivation is the eastern half, lying east of the Missouri river. Some of the difficulties and dangers connected with the early settlement of South Dakota have been already mentioned. Occasional venturesome explorers g-ave in- formation to the outside world of the boundless prairies and seemingly fertile soil of this desirable but unoc- cupied portion of the great northwest. Though having* no right of settlement, for the title of the land was vested in the Indians, yet little bands of pioneers began to appear along the borders, and, in anticipation of the treaties that were afterwards made, they risked the location of homes on the frontier of the territory. The first attempts to establish settlements were made at Sioux Palls and Plandreau in 1857, though preliminary visits were made in 1856. About the same time a town site was located in the southern part of Brookings county, which was called Medary. It was intended by its originators to make this the capital of a territory yet to be organized. The prime movers in these plans to occupy Dakota were the Western Town Site Company of Dubuque, Iowa, and the Dakota Land Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. Within a few months Indian hostilities began, the little villag*e of Medary w^as burned, and all of the small settlements along- the Sioux river were temporarily abandoned. Near the close of that year a few buildings were erected at Sioux Palls. The population consisted of sixteen men. This number had increased to sixty or more in June, 1858. On the renewal of hostilities they built a fort for their protection. Por several years the 28 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. peace of the future metropolis of South Dakota was frequently disturbed by real and threatened attacks by the Indians. While the first movements towards the location of colonies were made in the valley of the Sioux river, these were soon after followed by pioneers who were scattered along" the Missouri river, in what are now Union, Clay and Yankton counties. For greater safety ag-ainst their common foe they were collected tog-ether in settlements at what are now the cities of Elk Point, Vermillion and Yankton. The settlers at and near Vermillion appear to have been the first to establish homes along the fertile valley of the Missouri, in the autumn of 1857 and the spring of 1858. Others came to Yankton in 1858 and to Elk Point in 1859. For the first few years the danglers and risks of pio- neer life in Dakota were too great to encourage rapid immig-ration. It required courage to come, and perse- verance in the face of innumerable hardships and obstacles to maintain homes in a new country, away from the comforts and advantages of older civilizations, under conditions where one's life and family and pos- sessions were in constant danger. In consequence of the privations and sacrifices which were the necessary experience of those early days, the pioneer settlers were not crowded by white neighbors. In 1860 the total white population of Yankton county consisted of nine families, and thirty bachelors living in claim shanties. On account of the disturbed condition of these colo- nies for several years the tide of immigration moved slowly until 1866. Prom that year onward Indian hos- tilities were of rare occurrence, and the southern coun- ties began to fill up rapidly with settlers. The drift of THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 29 population was northward along- the Sioux, Vermillion and James rivers, and northwestward alon^ the Mis- souri. Bon Homme county was first settled in 1858, by a colony from Mankato, Minnesota. Lincoln county was first occupied in 1861. McCook and Hutchinson counties received their first settlers in 1870, Hanson county in 1872, Brule county in 1873, and Hug-hes county in 1876. As the attractions of soil and climate became better known, and the peace and safety of the people were no longer threatened, immig-ration flowed westward into Brooking-s, Grant, Deuel, Codington and other counties, until it reached the valley of the James river, and in later years still further westward to the Missouri river. The census of 1870, which showed a population of 14,182, was nominally the population of Dakota Territory, but it was practically the census of South Dakota, since the statement has been frequently made, that until after 1870, there were not to exceed five hundred white inhabitants in what is now the state of North Dakota. Reference has been made to the fact that the earliest pioneers in Dakota could establish no claim to the land on which they settled, since the title was vested in the Indians, who were the original and rig-htful possessors. By the treaty of 1851 only a narrow strip, near the Minnesota line, was ceded to the g-overnment. The treaty of 1859 secured to the g-overnment a larg-e reg-ion of country, but the Indians remained in possession, and resisted the encroachments of the white race, until they were compelled to submit, after the military dem- onstrations led by Generals Sully and Sibley. Later treaties opened nearly all of the territory to settle- ment, most of the Indians being- removed to reserva- tions lying west of the Missouri river. The latest 30 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. treaties were made since statehood was reached in 1889, and exting^uished the Indian title to lands in- cluded in the Sisseton and Yankton reservations. The way was now open for the coming thousands of pioneers from this and other countries to establish homes on the rich prairies of South Dakota. The obstacles that had hindered the progress of civilization were in large measure removed. Indian hostilities were no longer to be feared. The axe of the woodman was little needed. Instead of forests to be destroyed, the hardy settler found an open prairie ready for the plow, and a rich soil ready to produce a crop. There were still sacrifices to be made, and burdens to be borne, but they were those incident to pioneer life, and they were endured with remarkable courage and perse- verance. The early courageous settlers along the valleys of the Missouri and the Sioux, who risked their lives, and suffered untold hardships and privations, were the fore-runners of a mighty host who were after- wards to follow them. " We hear the tread of pioneers, Of nations yet to be ; The first low wash of waves, where soon Will roll a human sea." The population of Dakota Territory, which in 1860 was less than 2,500, and in 1870 was 14,182, had grown to 135,180 in 1880. The tide of immigration in the first decade really began its perceptible flow after 1866. Its volume rapidly increased during the second decade, but the marvelous progress in the third decade has rarely, if ever, been equalled in the settlement of any new state or territory. The population in 1890, of what had been, until 1889, Dakota Territory, was 511,527. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 31 Several thing's contributed to this extraordinary g-rowth. The advantagfeous location of Dakota, about midway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, its fertile soil, its pure, dry atmosphere, and unusually healthy climate, the favorable conditions and the easy terms of payment provided by the government for those who desired to establish homes, and the g-eneral drift of population westward, were among- the thing's that helped to bring- about such a wonderful movement. Another important factor was the coming- of thousands of hardy and industrious people from European coun- tries, where there were limitations and restrictions on their liberty, both civil and relig-ious, to enjoy the rig-hts and blessings of a free g-overnment in America. A liberty loving- people who have courag-eously en- dured the hardships and made the sacrifices necessary in the early settlement and development of a new coun- try, may safely be entrusted with the responsibility of moulding- and shaping- the destiny of the state. Many of the present citizens of the two states of South Da- kota and North Dakota, were among- those who, in the beg-inning-, helped to set in motion the influences that have broug-ht about the present conditions of pros- perity, and tokens of future prog-ress and g-rowth. A larg-e proportion of those who are now citizens of these two states have seen the retreating- steps of the In- dians to their present reservations, and watched the g-rowing- wave of population coming' in to cover with permanent homes the land so recently covered with teepees. For the purposes to be accomplished in recordings the items of history that will be g-iven in succeeding- chapters, it has been deemed advisable to furnish a record of early events in the settlement and develop- 32 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ment of the country. The missionary came with the pioneer settler. The relig*ious history of Dakota be- g-an with its early settlement. It is necessary, there- fore, to trace both lines of development and prog-ress. The field to be surveyed in this historical sketch is Dakota Territory in its beginning-, but mainly the state of South Dakota. As the settlement of the territorv, with a sing-le exception, beg^an along* its southern bor- ders, its religious history, especially in its early years, is practically identical with that of. South Dakota. UEV. TRUMAN H. JUDSON, 1S71-1S84. ^r./^^?- CHAPTER III. EARLY BEGINNINGS. Amon^ the pioneer settlers in Dakota, especially after some of them risked the dang'er involved in bring- ing- their families with them, early attention was given to laying plans for the establishment of churches and schools. The unsettled condition of things, due to frequent and often expected raids by hostile Indians, at first delayed the carrying out of these plans. Relig- ious services, however, were frequently held in the set- tlers' cabins, or in groves along the water courses. The earliest known religious org-anization was in the northeast corner of what afterwards became Dakota Territory. There was a small Roman Catholic church near the beginning of the century among the French Canadian trappers and half-breed Indians employed at the post of the Hudson Bay Company, located at Pem- bina. A chapel was built there in 1812. At the time of Major Long's expedition to that region in 1823, this chapel was rapidly falling into decay. In 1845 Father Belcourt, a zealous Catholic priest, built a chapel and also a small convent at St. Joseph, afterwards known as Walhalla. The following year he built a chapel at Pembina, and for several years he had charge of both districts. In 1846 he secured for the chapel at Wal- halla the first church bell ever brought into the terri- tory. In May, 1853, a company of missionaries, includ- 34 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ing* Alonzo Barnard and D. B. Spencer and their wives arrived at Walhalla. They were members of the "Oberlin Band," from Oberlin college. They had been eng'ag-ed in missionary work among* the Indians at Cass Lake and other points on the upper waters of the Mississippi river, and when missionary operations there were abandoned they came to Walhalla to labor among" the Indians there. We have no knowledg-e of the extent of their work or its results, and can find only a record of martyrdom while eng-ag-ed zealously in the effort to evang-elize the wild and uncivilized inhabitants of the prairie. Mrs. Barnard died October 21, 1853, as the result of exposure and suffering- inci- dent to her missionary labors, and Mrs. Spencer was killed Aug-ust 23, 1854, by the Indians whom she was trying to lead to a higher moral and spiritual life. For the first religious movements in the south we look to three of the earliest settlements, those at Ver- million, Yankton and Elk Point. The pioneers at and near Vermillion came in the autumn of 1858. There was a trading house and a steamboat landing where Yankton is located in 1857, but the first settlers arrived there in March, 1858. Eli Wixom, the first white inhabitant of Elk Point, established his home there in July, 1859. So far as can be ascertained the first sermon preached in Yankton was by Rev. C. D. Martin, in February, 1859. He also preached the first sermon in Elk Point early in 1860. The first sermon preached in Vermillion was by Rev. S. W. Ingham, October 14, 1860. The first known religious organization in any of these settlements was a Baptist church established at Yankton, in the summer of 1864, by Rev. E. P. Judson. Its existence continued until the end of 1865, when, on THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 35 account of the disturbed condition of the settlement, the members were scattered and it became extinct. The first Methodist Episcopal churches were org-anized at Yankton in the autumn of 1865; at Elk Point in Jan- uary, 1867, and at Vermillion, September 11, 1871. The earliest org-anization of Cong-reg-ational churches was at Yankton, April 6, 1868; at Vermillion, September 11, 1870, and at Elk Point in 1872. Leaving- out of con- sideration the temporary org-anization at Yankton in 1864-5, the first Baptist churches were org-anized at Yankton, February 3, 1867; at Vermillion, February 16, 1868; at Big- Spring-s early in July, 1869. A prelim- inary org-anization was beg-an at Elk Point, April 26, 1868, but it was not completed on account of sickness. The present Baptist church in that city was organized March 11, 1871. The first missionary work done by the Presby- terians in South Dakota was among- the Sioux Indians. It was under the supervision of Rev. J. P. Williamson, D. D., and was began in July, 1863. Within three years the number of members had grown to 236. The mission was then transferred to Niobrara, Neb. The oldest continuous Presbyterian organization is an Indian church, at Long Hollow, near Sisseton. It was established August 21, 1868. It is in charge of an Indian pastor. Rev. Isaac Renville. Another Indian church called Ascension, near Sisseton, organized August 27, 1868, is distinguished for having had only one pastor, Rev. John B. Renville, an Indian. He has served as pastor of this church over thirty years, and still abides in strength and efficiency, and unwaning favor among his people. The first missionary work done in South Dakota among white people was by a pastor in Nebraska, who made occasional visits to Ver- 36 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. million in 1862. The first Presbyterian church org-an- ized among- the white settlements was at Canton in the summer of 1872. A few years later this church be- came extinct. The first white org-anization to maintain a continuous existence is the church at Dell Rapids, since Aug-ust 18, 1872. The first Presbyterian house of worship was built by the German church of Turner county, in 1880. The early churches found it necessary for a time to meet in private dwelling's and schoolhouses, but as soon as it was possible they responded to the call to "arise and build." The first house of worship was erected by the Episcopal church at Yankton in 1866, and at Elk Point in 1868. The Methodists dedicated their earliest church homes at Elk Point in 1870, and at Yankton and Vermillion in 1873. The Cong-reg-a- tionalists dedicated their first three church homes at Yankton July 17, 1870, at Canton in March, 1872, and at Vermillion in 1873. Their house of worship at Elk Point was not completed until 1889. The first church building-s erected by Baptists were dedicated at Ver- million June 4, 1872, at Elk Point in October, 1873, and at Yankton in 1879. Putting- the foreg-oing- facts in chronolog-ical order, we find that the denominations named rank as follows: First, Org-anization of Churches. — Baptists lead all other evang-elical denominations in Dakota, if we take into the list the temporary org-anization of 1864-5, at Yankton. Omitting- this from the list, since it became extinct, the order is as here g-iven. At Yankton — Methodists, 1865; Baptists, February 3, 1867; Cong-re- g-ationalists, April 6, 1868. At Vermillion — Baptists, February 16, 1868; Cong-reg-ationalists, September 11, 1870; Methodists, September, 1871. At Elk Point— THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 37 Methodists, January, 1867; Baptists, April 26, 1868; Cong-reg-ationalists, 1870. At Big* Spring's — Baptists, July, 1889. Second, Dedication of Houses of Worship. — At Yank- ton — Episcopalians in 1866; Methodists, 1868; Cong-re- g-ationalists, July 7, 1870; Baptists, 1879. At Ver- million — Baptists, June 4, 1872; Cong-reg-ationalists in 1873, and Methodists, Aug-ust 31, 1873. At Elk Point- Episcopalians, 1868; Methodists, 1870; Baptists, Octo- ber, 1873; Cong-reg-ationalists, 1889. The first Baptist minister who is known to have lived or labored in Dakota was Rev. L. P. Judson. • He came under appointment of the American Baptist Home Mission Society as missionary "at Yankton and vicin- ity." He served nine months and left Dakota January 24, 1865. His successor was Rev. Albert Gore, whose appointment was for twelve months from February 1, 1865. He remained until the following- December. Neither of these men lived at Yankton, but on claims located some distance from their desig-nated field of labor. While doing- more or less missionary work at Yankton, and among* the scattered settlements, they were both interested in other matters. Mr. Judson was identified with what was known as the New York colony and was active in advancing- its interests. Mr. Gore had been eng-ag-ed for a time in secular business and politics. He was a member of the territorial leg"is- lature in 1863-4. The annual report of the American Baptist Home Mission Society for 1864-5, makes the following- state- ment: "In Dakota a Baptist church and Sunday school have been org-anized at Yankton, the capital of the ter- ritory." This movement, which dates from the sum- mer of 1864, was the pioneer relig-ious org-anization 38 TliEi BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. among evangelical denominations. How long it con- tinued to exist after Mr. Gore left the field, at the close of 1865, is unknown. It was a period of trials and hardships in those pioneer settlements. The privations of the early settlers, and the dread of In- dian hostilities, which had not yet entirely ceased, caused frequent removals, and many becoming dis- couraged, returned to their former homes in older and safer communities. Under such conditions, a new and feeble organization, having limited pastoral oversight, could hardly be expected to maintain its existence. After much difficulty, detailed information has recently been secured concerning the labors and experiences of the first two Baptist missionaries in Dakota. These are fully recorded in Chapter VI. The first Baptist missionary whose work in Dakota left a permanent impress, was not a resident of the territory. In October, 1864, Rev. J. E. Rockwood became the first pastor of the Baptist church in Sioux City, Iowa. He was the only Baptist pastor in a large region of country in northwestern Iowa. While re- sponding to appeals for help from many sources, he felt deeply moved to ascertain the needs and prospects of the opening fields in Dakota Territory, along the valley of the Missouri river. Missionary tours up the river to Elk Point, Vermillion and Yankton, which began March 25, 1866, were continued as frequently as practicable, until failing health compelled him to cease this work in August, 1869. ; During this period churches were organized, converts were baptized, scattered Baptists were gathered to- gether, and foundations were laid for future work by those who were to come at a later period. The first Baptist church organized by Mr. Rockwood was at THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 39 Yankton, February 3, 1867. The second org-anization was effected at Vermillion, February 16, 1868. The services were held in the historic log* schoolhouse at the foot of the ravine. Each of these churches were fully organized, and they became members of the Northwestern Iowa Baptist Association. An organi- zation was also begun at Elk Point, April 26, 1868, but this, ow4ng to failing health, was not completed. A detailed report of the missionary work done in Dakota by Mr. Rockwood will be given in Chapter VII. For a year and a half there were no Baptist minis- ters in Dakqta except Chaplain G. D. Crocker, of the regular army, who was stationed at Fort Sully, and Rev. P. A. Ring, who, with a colony of Swedes, had settled at Big Springs. The Swedish Baptist church at Big Springs was organized early in July, 1869. In December, 1870, Rev. George W. Freeman visited Dakota. He had been in charge of missionary work in Nebraska and along the rapidly extending lines of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, following them to the coast. He reported to the Board of the American Baptist Home Mission Society the result of his study of the needs of this field, and soon after he was appointed general missionary for Dakota Terri- tory. His appointment continued a little more than two years and a half, from March 1, 1871, to October 1, 1873. For the first time Baptist missionary work in Dakota had a superintendent who could devote all his time to the field, and minister to its rapidly growing needs. He began his work at Elk Point, where he established his home. In place of the incomplete organization begun there by Mr. Rockwood, he organized a church March 11, 1871. A few days later, March 25, he organ- 40 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ized a church at Sioux Valley. This was at first called LeRoy. Afterwards the location was moved further north, and the name was chang-ed to Portland- ville. This was a small villag^e started on the Dakota side of the Sioux river. When the railroad was after- wards built from Sioux City to Sioux Palls, a station named Akron was established opposite Portlandville, on the Iowa side of the river. As Akron g-rew the location and name of the church were chang-ed to Akron. During- the term of service rendered by Mr. Freeman as g^eneral missionary, ten or more churches were organized, some of them by others, but most of them by himself. Pastors and houses of worship were becoming* nec- essary. The first Baptist pastor in Dakota was Rev. P. A. Ring-, at Big- Spring-s, July, 1889. The first American pastor was Rev. J. H. Young-, who settled at Elk Point in October, 1871. He was ordained there January 7, 1872, and soon after became pastor at Yank- ton. This was the first Baptist ordination service in Dakota. Before the end of the year he proved to be unworthy of a place in the ranks of the ministry, and was deposed November 12, 1872- Other pastors came in rapid succession. Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt settled at Vermillion in September, 1871, and remained on that field one year and a half. Rev. J. J. Mclntire reached Dakota October 17, 1871, and settled where soon after the Swan Lake and Pinlay churches were org-anized. The names and locations of these two churches were chang-ed, in later years, to Hurley and Parker. A church was org-anized at Lodi July 23, 1871, and in the following- November Rev. J. L. Coppoc became the pas- tor. The Blooming-dale Swedish church was org-anized June 25, 1871. Its pastor was Rev. J. Peterson, who IJLOOMINGDALE SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH, DALESBUHG. CHLKCH ORGANIZED OCTOBKK 15, 1S7I. HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED NOVEMBER, 1S7S. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 41 was soon after ordained. The Bloomin^dale American church, now known as Spirit Mound, was organized July, 1871. Rev. T. H . Judson* became pastor at Elk Point October 23, 18727 and a year later settled at Ver- million. He was succeeded at Elk Point by Rev. J. P. Coffman, January 9, 1874. Danish churches were or- g-anized at Lodi March 25, 1872, and at Daneville, De- cember 31, 1833. Church organizations followed the establishment of settlements north and northwest from the early start- ing points. A church was organized at Canton March 18, 1872. Its first pastor was Rev. J. J. Mclntire, who supplied that field in connection with several other points. He was succeeded at Canton October 1, 1872, by Rev. V. B. Conklin, who became missionary for Lin- coln county. The church at Dell Rapids was organized July 15, 1872, and its first pastor was Rev. Wm. T. Hill. Churches were organized at Swan Lake (now Hurley), December 9, 1872, and at Pinley (now Parker), December 25, 1872. The leading spirit in these organi- zations was Rev. J. J. Mclntire, and he became their pastor. Beginning with the organization at Big Springs in July, 1889, the Scandinavians were early on the field at other points. They had four churches, at Big Springs, Bloomingdale, Lodi and Daneville, with numerous out- stations. In later years some of these stations became separate churches. There were German Baptists among the pioneer settlers in South Dakota, especially in Yankton, Hutchinson, Hanson and Bon Homme counties. In different sections of the state thev have now fifteen strong and influential churches. A de- tailed account of the work done among and by these nationalities will be recorded in later chapters. 42 THK BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. For two or three years the progress of the work was encouraging'. During* most of this, period it was under the careful and experienced leadership of Rev. G. W. Freeman, as g-eneral missionary. Under his super- vision was a band of faithful and self-sacrificing- pastors. But discourag-ements were coming- in the approaching- financial crisis, which beg-an in 1873, and swept over the country. With this was associated the "g-rasshopper raid," which was so destructive to all kinds of veg-etation in 1874, and returned, with some- what diminished force in 1875. In a country where almost the only dependance for support was upon crops, when these were totally destroyed, the outlook was disheartening-. The heroic spirit with which the people endured these hardships and privations, the courag-e exhibited in remaining- on their newly acquired homes, and their unfaltering- faith in the future of Dakota are deserving- of the hig-hest praise. The first Baptist house of worship built in Dakota was at Vermillion. It was dedicated June 4, 1872. It cost $2,200. On the day following- the dedication, the first Baptist association was organized at Ver- million. Pastors and delegates were present from the nine Baptist churches then in existence in the terri- tory. Rev. G. W. Freeman was elected moderator. Deacon M. D. Weston, treasurer; Martin J. Lewis, secretary; and Rev. T. H. Judson, corresponding sec- retary of the new organization, which was henceforth know^n as the Southern Dakota Baptist Association. The second Baptist house of w-orship dedicated was at Elk Point, in October, 1873. The church at Yankton, the first one organized in Dakota, ought to have become a tower of strength. It started under favorable conditions, but it was unfor- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 43 tunate in the selection of some of its pastors. After a few years it contained in its membership elements of weakness. A rule or ruin policy actuated some of its members. Its first pastor, Rev. J. H. Young-, was deposed from the ministry. One or two others were unfit to be chosen as spiritual leaders and g-uides. A majority of the members were devoted and faithful, and the church had some g-ood consecrated pastors. A house of worship was completed after a long- and hard strugg-le. There were occasional indications of a spir- itual uplift, but there was a disturbing- element often in control, and the g-eneral tendency was downward. The church has been extinct for several years. The house of worship is used by the German Baptist church of Yankton. The title of the property is in the Amer- ican Baptist Home Mission society. Rev. William M. Haig-h, D. D., of Chicag-o, who was for many years western superintendent of missions, early became interested in the prog-ress of Baptist mis- sionary work and workers in South Dakota. A few days before his sudden death the writer of this historv wrote to him requesting- him to furnish a statement of his early relation to the field and his observations con- cerning it. He evidently beg-an its preparation, but had g-ot no further than a report of his first visit to South Dakota in 1879. Prom an unfinished letter to the author, found on his desk, the following- extract is g-iven : "In accordance with the resolution of the Board, I made arrang-ements for an early visit to Dakota. I reached Yankton Saturday evening-, Aug-ust 9, 1879. Rev. J. P. Coffman, who resides forty miles away, was unable to be present on account of sickness, but Rev. A. W. Hilton met me in his place, and aided in laying- out a brief tour to the principal points, to end in a 44 THE BAt>TIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. g-eneral meeting* at Sioux Palls. The Sabbath was spent at Yankton, services morning- and evening-, and a protracted conference in the afternoon. On Monday I visited Elk Point, where Rev. G. W. Preeman, form- erly our g-eneral missionary for the territory, is pastor. Then I proceeded to Portlandville, Vermillion, Bloom- ing-dale, Pinley, Lincoln Centre, Sioux Palls, and Dell Rapids, where I spent the second Sabbath. A visit to Plandreau was prevented by unavoidable causes. On Tuesday I went to Sioux Palls, spent the day in conference with the pastors, reviewing- their fields and expressing- their views of the work to be done. At nig-ht I preached. "The next day I came down to Canton, where I was met bv Rev. V. B. Conklin, and after surveying- the new town, I took the cars at midnig-ht for Chicag-o, having- traveled in the territory 300 miles, chiefly by stag-e and private conveyances, — preached six times, held and addressed several conferences with churches and brethren, and studied as thoroug-hly as circum- stances would permit, the condition and necessities of our churches and the cause in Dakota. "To appreciate the condition of these churches, it is necessary to consider the method by which most of them have been built up. Southeastern Dakota has been larg-ely settled under the homestead and timber culture laws, and of course chiefly by persons of very limited means. Almost every minister who has come here has found it necessary, even if he did not come on purpose, as most have done, to take a homestead and a claim, and working- as hard as the people during- the week, has preached for them on the Sabbath. Many of, these men have thus endured a g-reat deal of hard- ship, receiving- very little help from the church, and that little very irreg-ularly. Of course they look to the valuable farms they will have by and by as their ma- terial compensation. It is evident, however, that such a process, g-oing- on for a few years, will produce a secularized ministry and a non-contributing- people. To a certain, and in some cases, a material extent, THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 45 this has been done, and of all the pastors in Dakota, not more than one or two even profess to derive their sup- port exclusively from the ministry. The g-rasshopper scourg-e which has afflicted the reg-ion so g-rievously in past years has of course ag-g-ravated the hardships of the situation, and checked the prog*ress of both church and people. The recent visitation has extended to Union and Clay counties wholly, and Yankton, Turner, and Lincoln, partially; about equal to four whole coun- ties. The wheat in these parts was utterly destroyed, and vast fields, except where the people have taken fresh heart, and put in late corn, are now one stretch of towering" weeds. Some are becoming" so discourag'ed that they are leaving these parts, and some would leave if they could sell their property. But the most of the people are confident that they can rise above their trouble, and by g-iving- themselves to the raising- of stock, instead of g-rain, will ultimately win a victory over this enemy of their prog^ress. "The immig-ration of course is in the direction of g"overnment lands, on which claims can be made. Most of the land between the Sioux and Vermillion rivers is taken up; between the Vermillion and James it is being- rapidly taken. In the western part, especi- ally, the people have not yet come on, but they will do so next spring-, so as to make g-ood their claims. Settlements are also rapidly projected beyond the James river towards the Missouri, and will soon be made. Further north, broug-ht in throug-h Minnesota by the Southern Minnesota & Northwestern railroads, the people are pouring- into the country between Minnesota and the James. "The Northwestern railroad is moving- to Lake Kampeska. — the Southern Minnesota is just being- com- pleted to Plandreau, and is laid out and is to be com- pleted to Sioux Palls by November, from which a branch is projected to Yankton." This chapter has been devoted to a history of early beg-innings in missionary work. It beg-an with a rec- ord of the earliest known relig-ious org-anization in the 46 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. entire field embraced in what afterward became known as Dakota Territory. It was a small Roman Catholic church established nearly a century ago at Pembina, in the northeast corner of the present state of North Dakota. The chapter will close with a mention of the earliest known relig-ious movement by Protestants in North Dakota. Reference has been made to a mission established among- the Indians at Walhalla, by missionaries Barnard and Spencer and their wives in June, 1853. But an earlier movement for their evang-elization was begun by Baptists. In 1852 there were two^^^tists in what is now Pembina county. They were Be i /n n i mr-Terry and James Tanner, The former was a member of the First Baptist church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The lat- ter was a half-breed, whose father was stolen in child- hood by a band of Shawnee Indians, in Kentucky, in 1789. Having been adopted into their tribe, he mar- ried an Indian, and spent his life among them. His son, James Tanner, was educated in the best schools available for Indians. He served for several years as interpreter and assistant in Methodist missions at Sandy Lake and other stations among the Indians along the upper Mississippi river. As the result of a careful study of the Bible, he became a Baptist. During a severe winter he walked to the nearest Baptist church and minister, probably at St. Paul, in order to be scripturally baptized. He then went east, and by his earnestness and zeal he enlisted the interest of some wealthy Baptists in Phil- adelphia and elsewhere, in his desire to give the gospel to the Indians. On his return Benjamin Terry accom- panied him to Walhalla. It was their plan to erect a log building in which they could both teach the Indians THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 47 and half-breeds, and conduct relig^ious services. While Mr. Terry was entering- the woods to cut down some trees for the proposed building-, he was killed and scalped by a company of Sioux Indians. He was an educated young- man, and an earnest Christian worker. He deserved a better fate than to suffer martyrdom at the beg-inning- of a promising- career. It was with difficulty that his survivor secured permission from the Catholic priest to have his remains buried in the only cemetery then in the settlement. A few years ag-o they were removed by the Baptists of North Dakota, and a suitable monument placed over his g-rave in the Presbyterian cemetery at Walhalla. In the same enclosure other monuments mark the g-raves of Mrs. Barnard and Mrs. Spencer, who, with similar devotion, g-ave their lives in the cause of Indian evan- g-elization. On account of the continued hostility of the Indians, James Tanner abandoned that station. The cruel death of his co-worker and his own disappoint- ments disheartened him. He roamed about from place to place trying- to accomplish gfood, but with discourag-- ing- results. In 1864 he lost his life in Manitoba. The iii-st known relig-ious org-anization by any evan- g-elical denomination in North Dakota was a Presby- terian church, established in 1876, at Pembina. A couple of years later the first Baptist church in that state was org-anized at Pargo, January 27, 1879. A Cong-reg-ational church was located at Mandan, July 26, 1880. This was the first Cong-reg-ational church org-an- ized in North Dakota, and the first church organiza- tion of any denomination in the state west of the Mis- souri river. CHAPTER IV. PROGRESS OF THE AVORK. We have thus far traced the progress of Baptist missionary work from its beg-ining- along- the Missouri river, until it reached the nearer settlements further north and west. Eig^hteen Baptist churches had been orgfanized, and most of them were under the care of faithful pastors. They had passed throug-h all of the trying- experiences common to pioneer life. After the hard strug-g-le to establish homes, the discourag-ements that follow a financial crisis, and the unexpected blig-ht- ing- of abundant crops by repeated invasions of g-rass- hoppers, better times were beg-inning- to dawn. ' Rapidly increasing- immig-ration led to the opening- of many new settlements, and added streng-th to those al- ready existing-. Several lines of railroad were pro- jected, and some of them were in successful operation. Along- these new railroads flourishing- villag-es and am- bitious young- cities g-rew up with wonderful rapidity. In many of these localities churches were soon org-an- ized. Among- these new org-anizations were Centerville and Madison in 1878, Goodwin in 1879, Huron, Brook- ing-s, Watertown and Big- Stone City in 1880, Mitchell and Montrose in 1881, Aberdeen, Arling-ton, Eg-an and Chamberlain in 1882, Armour, De Smet and Spencer in 1883, Ipswich, Parkston and Pierre in 1884, and Elkton in 1885. REV. A. W. HILTON. I 874- I 882, THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 49 The official relation of Rev. G. W. Preeman to the missionary work ended October 1, 1873. Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., whose headquarters were at Ashland, Nebraska, was appointed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, district secretary for Nebraska and Dakota Territory. His term of service beg-an Feb- ruary 1, 1875, and continued until October 1, 1877. The field then occupied by the Baptists was seven or eight counties in the southern portion of the territory. He made several visits to this g-rowing- field, assisting- the pastors, encourag-ingf the churches, and occasion- ally exploring- the reg-ions beyond. Nearly all of the pioneer missionaries, with com- mendable perseverance, remained at their posts of duty, enduring- hardships and making- sacrifices now unknown. Some of them continue until now, but are yielding- to the infirmities of ag-e, and waiting- for the rest that is beyond. Others have ceased from their labor, and their works follow them. To the list of those mentioned in the preceding- chapter should be added the names of some who came a little later, but wroug-ht faithfully and well. Rev. T. H. J udson canie in 1872. He was pastor at Elk Point, Vermillion, and Hurley, and did itinerant missionary work at several points where most needed. He died at Hurley, March 17, 1884. Rev. A. W. Hilton settled first in Turner county, in 1874. He was pastor on several fields, in- cluding- Parker, Hurley and Sioux Palls. He was a man of commanding- influence, strong- in his convictions, and fearless in expressing- them. He died at Calumet, Turner county, September 20, 1882. Rev. J. R. Eldridg-e, after a long* and successful ministry in New York and Wisconsin came to Dakota in 1878. He was then well advanced in years, but served as pastor at Blooming- 50 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. dale, and supplied other churches as his health would permit. He died October 6, 1884. Rev. Walter Ross, in 1878, established a home at Oakwood Lake, where a church was soon organized. He has also served as pastor of the churches at Estelline, Arling-ton, Hetland, Centerville and De Smet. Between the James and Missouri rivers. Rev. J. E. Saunders and others were establishing- churches at Armour, Chamberlain, Parkston, Plankinton, Kimball and White Lake. Rev. J. P. Coffman led in the work at Mitchell and Alexandria, Rev. G. S. Cleveng-er at Brookings, Elkton and Bushnell; Rev. A. S. Orcutt at Watertown, Rev. G. H. Annis at Goodwin, Rev. E. M. Bliss at Aberdeen, Rev. Geo. A. Cressey at Huron, and Chaplain G. D. Crocker at Pierre and Blunt. With the rapid increase in population there was special need for the constant care and leadership of a superintendent of missions, who could be all the time on the field, watching developments, seizing strategic points, and taking advantage of desirable opportunities for the organization of churches. It was necessary for Dr. Webb to devote most of his time to Nebraska. His visits to Dakota were helpful and encouraged the workers, but they were necessarily limited in number, duration, and the extent of territory covered. During an exceedingly important period in the history of the Baptist cause in South Dakota, from October 1, 1877, to August 1, 1880, it had no one who could be con- stantly engaged in personal oversight of the work. This led to the discouragement of pastors who were practically alone, and most of them on very large fields which required all of their time and labor. Important centers of influence, where churches ought to have been planted, were not occupied at all, or not until the favor- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 51 able time to take possession had passed by. Occasion- ally a pastor, possessed with a burning- zeal to multi- ply org-anizations, would org-anize churches wherever four or five Baptists could be found, in localities that g-ave no promise whatever of future g-rowth. With rare exceptions these churches died in their infancy. Their names appeared once or twice in the early min- utes of associations, and then they were dropped from the roll. In the early days it was impossible to fore- see where railroad lines would be constructed, and sometimes villag-es and churches were established where g-rowth would be impossible, when rival villag-es were located a few years later at railroad stations, only a few miles distant, and starting- under more favorable conditions. For these and other causes a g-ood many of the early churches, once in existence, became extinct. Among- them are the following-: Yankton, Lodi (American), Gayville, Sunnyside, Fountain, Oakwood, Silver Lake, Castlewood, Big- Stone, Ordway, Redfield, Alexandria, Howard, Columbia, Blunt, Sand Creek, Vilas, Afton (Carthag-e), Beulah (Alpena), Beulah (Sioux Falls), Clear Lake, Groton, Andover, Webster, Grade Siding-, Marion, Dayton, Miller, St. Lawrence, Salem, Wessing-- ton Spring-s, Garfield, Bijou Hills and Myron. Only five of these churches had houses of worship, and one of these, at Myron, was a sod house, which in a few years was destroyed. Most of the others passed out of existence for want of a home, or because of unwisdom in the org-anization, or in the location of the church. Four of these churches were org-anized in the first decade (1868-1878), three in the third decade (1888-1898), and all of the others during- the boom period of the second decade (1878-1888). In some cases not only the 52 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. churches, but the little villag-es or settlements in which they were located have ceased to exist. As a general rule churches that have become extinct came to their end mainly for want of a house of wor- ship. A homeless church is like a homeless family or individual ; it becomes a wanderer from place to place, roving about from schoolhouse to hall or empty store- room. Much of the time it can have only occasional services. It finds it difficult to secure a pastor, and lacks the facilities for obtaining the full benefit of his labors. Its congregations are irregular in attendance. It can accomplish but little in revival work, and is not in a condition to satisfactorily gather in the fruits of a revival. On the other hand, the church that has an attractive and comfortable house of worship, is able to draw others besides its members to hear the sound of the gospel. The local habitation is evidence to the com- munity that the church is there to stay. It is a center of influence for good which is respected by all, even if it is not utilized by all of the people. The thought of the stability and permanence of a church organization has much to do in influencing the people to identify themselves with it as members, or in attendance on its services. It has what the homeless church cannot have, an established place for the prayer and covenant meetings and the Sunday school. It is not claimed, however, that the possession of a suitable place in which to hold religious services, is in every case, especially in a new state, a sure guarantee of the permanency of the church organization. Churches have been established in localities where growth was impossible. Houses of worship have sometimes been unwisely located, through the mistaken belief that it THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 53 is better to accept from some enterprising real estate dealer, the g'ift of a lot in the suburbs, than to buy a corner lot in the center of the city or villag-e. It hap- pened several times, in the early development of South Dakota, that new villag-es, whose enthusiastic inhabi- tants supposed would become cities, were side tracked by the construction of railroad lines, which built up other localities. Illustrations of this have been nu- merous. The once promising- villag^e of Fountain is a thing- of the past, having- been absorbed by Brooking-s and Aurora. What was orig-inally the church at Huston became the church at Armour. The churches org-anized at Swan Lake and Pinlay were removed and the names and locations chang-ed to Hurley and Parker. A preaching- station at Sioux Valley, north of Elk Point, became the church at Le Roy, and this, after other chang-es of location and name, became Akron. Experience has also shown that it is possible for town- site companies to hold out inducements and create ex- pectations that are never realized. A few churches that were organized in territorial days, and secured chapels, have died, and a few others are dying-, but this result is due to the fact of unwise location of the organization, or of the church building, or internal dis- sensions, or later local conditions that could not be foreseen at the time these churches were org*anized. At the beginning of the first decade, in 1868, there were only two Baptist churches in existence, in South Dakpta. At its close there were eighteen churches. During this period, though often under discouraging conditions, faithful services were rendered by pioneer laborers, among whom were G. W. Freeman, E. H. Hurlbutt, J. J. Mclntire, T. H . Judson, J. L. Coppoc, A. W. Hilton, J. P. Coffiill^r^rrBT'Conklin, Wm. T. 54 THE BAPTIST KtlSTOJjY OF* SOtlTtt DAKOTA. Hill, P. H. Damm, Theodore Hessel, Nils Tychsen, E. Sandquist, A. B. Nordberg, A. J. Furman, E. M. Epstein, and others. Early in the second decade, beg-ining- in 1878, churches began to increase in number more rapidly. Railroad companies were extending* their lines in nearly every direction, and the abundant crops, especi- ally from 1880 to 1883, encourag-ed immig-ration. It was natural that under such favoiable conditions all lines of missionary work were streng*thened and extended. New churches were planted, pastors were secured and houses of worship were built. According* to the census of 1880, the population of Dakota Territory had increased to 135,189, including- 28,024 in the north and 107,156 in the south half of the territory. Scores of new cities and villag-es were founded. Everybody was enthusiastic and hopeful. Expensive public buildings were erected. The people in each locality were sure that they would win in the strugg-le for the location of county seats, and becoming- railroad centers, and out-^ rival their competitors in population and supremacy. Under these conditions, so favorable for rapid g-rowth, and when personal oversig-ht of missionary work was so essential. Rev. Edward Ellis was ap- pointed by the American Baptist Home Mission So- ciety to serve as g-eneral missionary for Southern Da- kota. He entered upon his work Aug-ust 1, 1880, with characteristic enthusiasm and zeal. A larg-e number of churches were org-anized. For most of these pas- tors were obtained, and wherever practicable houses of worship were built. A majority of the new pastors were young men, thoroughly educated, and full of energy and zeal. Many of them have left their impress on the state whose future destiny they have helped to THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 55 mould and shape. Among these who came during- that period in the work of church organization, securing- church homes, and training- their people in christian service were E. B. Meredith, S. G. Adams, H. E. Nor- ton, S. J. Wineg-ar, J. Edminster, Geo. A. Cressey, C. N. Patterson. J.^. Burkholder,*F. H. Newton, J. E. ^ Saunders, Jacob Olsen, J. R. Eldridg-e, L. M. Newell, M. Barker, C. G. Cressey, Edward Godwin. S. S. Utter, E. M. Bliss, F. M. Horning-, C. H. McKee, G. H. Parker, C. W. Pinwall, Andrew Johnson, J. B. Sundt, O. Olthoff, B. Matzke, J. Eng-leman, and others who came later in the decade. For ten years from the org-anization of the Southern Dakota Baptist Association, at Vermillion, June 5, 1872, it was the only one in South Dakota. As the number of churches increased another became neces- sary, and the Sioux Valley Association was org-anized at Brooking- June 9-11, 1882. Sixteen churches, all new organizations, united in forming this body. It soon became evident that this new association covered too large a field, since it extended as far south as Madison and Egan, and as far north as Aberdeen, Ipswich and Big Stone City. A third association be- came a necessity. The James River Association was organized at Columbia, October 10, 1884. The Scan- dinavian Conference or Association was organized at Lodi, December 31, 1874. It was intended at first to serve mainly the purpose of a missionary society, and the Scandinavian churches continued, until 1886, to re- port by letter and delegates to the Southern Dakota and Sioux Valley Associations. Since then, the num- ber of Scandinavian churches having increased, they maintain their own organization. The German Asso- ciation was organized at Plum Creek, near Bridge- 56 TUE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOtTTH DAKOTA. water, June 17, 1887. The Sputh Dakota Baptist Con- vention beg-an its organization at Lake Madison July 1, 1881. The detailed history of these associations and the state convention will be g-iven in later chapters. During- this decade each of the leading- denominations li^ad reached a condition of streng*th and courag-e to undertake to establish denominational schools of the hig-her g-rade. Before becoming* a state the territorial leg-islature had located a state university at Vermillion, an ag-ricultural colleg-e at Brookingfs, and normal schools at Madison and Spearfish. Early attention w^as g-iven to the establishment of denominational schools. The first of these was located by the Con- g-regfationalists at Yankton ; the Methodists planted theirs at Mitchell ; the Presbyterians at Pierre ; and the Baptists, Episcopalians and Scandinavian Luther- ans at Sioux Palls. A separate chapter will be devoted to a historical sketch of Sioux Palls University. During- the first decade only one German Baptist church was org-anized. This was done at Emanuel's Creek, April 26, 1876, by Rev. J. Wendt. The second organization was at Big Stone City, May 9, 188Q, under the leadership of Rev. J. Engler. Missionary work was carried on among these people in several localities by Rev. P. Reichle and Rev. J. Croeni. Stations were established and maintained, but the conservative and careful policy of the Germans was carried out, and the organization of churches was usually delayed until the number of members at each of these stations was large enough to be self-supporting. The German Baptist church at Plum Creek was organized June 9, 1883. Others followed at Madison May 1, 1885; at Emery Pebruary 24, 1886 : and Eureka June 16, 1886. Rev. O. Olthofe came to Dakota Territory in 1884. As the REV. EDWAHD ELLIS, GENERAL MISSIONAKY, 1880-1885. THJS BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 57 result of his earnest labors some German churches were org'anized, and later co-workers have helped to increase the number. A detailed history of the Ger- man and German-Russian Baptist churches of South Dakota is recorded in another chapter. Reference has been made to Rev. Edward Ellis, the second g-eneral missionary on this field. His labors began Aug-ust 1, 1880. He came with the rapidly in- creasing- tide of immig-ration. The services that he rendered were g-reatly needed and appreciated. In many of the new cities and villag^es spring-ing" up over the prairies, were Baptists who w^ere pleading- for church org-anizations and pastors. He w^as of a sang*uine tem- perament, full of energ-y and enthusiasm, and had un- bounded faith in the future of South Dakota. He never considered the possibility of a failure, but was always sure of success. The spirit of the times was in sympathy with the zeal of this earnest leader in missionary work. The people were then full of cour- age and hope, and liberally responded to his appeals. It was easier then, than in the later period of financial depression and crop failures, to establish churches and secure the needed funds for building- shelters for their comfort and protection. He led in the org-anization of twenty-six new churches, thirteen of which, in a few years became extinct, and in the erection of sixteen houses of worship. His term of service continued five years, or until Aug-ust 1, 1885. During- this period, with the consent of the Board of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, he spent six months, in 1882, as supply for the church at Sioux Palls, and superin- tending- the building- of their house of worship, three months in 1883, assisting- in the establishment of Sioux Falls University, and one year as its financial ag-ent. 58 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. The time regularly devoted to missionary work in the state was a little more than three years. In Aug-ust, 1886, Mr. Ellis was appointed by the Home Mission Society -to serve as district secretary for Michig-an, Ohio and Indiana. His experience as g-eneral missionary helped to qualify him for efficient service in this new relation to the cause of home mis- sions. Having- served four years as district secretary he returned, in Aug-ust, 1890, to Sioux Palls, to g-ive needed personal attention to business interests there. In March, 1892, he went to Milwaukee, Wis.^ and or- g-anized the Bay View^ Baptist church in that city, and became its pastor. While attending- the Wisconsin Baptist State Convention, at Hudson, he died suddenly, after a few hours of painful illness, on Thursday, Octo- ber 6, 1892. Impressive memorial services were con- d'lctedat Hudson, and the funeral services were held at Milwaukee. The pastors of the city were his pall bear- ers, and his mortal remains were buried in Forest Home Cemetery. Edward Ellis was born in North Wales in 1842. He was converted and baptized at Pewaukee, Wisconsin, in 1857, and he beg-an preaching when he was fifteen years old. His studies at Beaver Dam were interrupted by the civil war. He enlisted in the twenty-second Wisconsin reg-iment. With the exception of several months spent in Libby prison, he served with his reg-i- ment until the end of the war. He then entered Col- g-ate Unversity and afterwards completed the full course of theolog-ical study at Morgan Park. While there he org-anized and served as pastor of the First Baptist church of Englewood, Chicago. He after- wards organized and was pastor of the South Baptist church in Milwaukee. From there he came to South THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 59 Dakota, in 1880, to become general missionary. He was descended from an eminently religious family. Some of his ancestors were among the best known ministers in Wales. As a preacher he was enthusias- tic, forcible and strictly evangelical. He was a genial companion, an inspiring co-worker and a successful leader. He has left an impress for good on the times and places in which he lived and labored. CHAPTER V. THE LAST DECADE. The first half of the second decade, from 1878 to 1883, was the period of g-reatest activity in both secu- lar and religious work in Dakota Territory. The whole country was flooded with immig-ration literature, g-iving- enthusiastic descriptions of bonanza wheat farms, and railroad companies were pushing- their lines in every direction. Immig-ration to the territory increased wonderfully, and nearly all desirable g-overn- ment land was taken by eag-er settlers. Many new cit- ies and villages were established. Town site compa- nies and real estate agents were numerous and active. Any enterprise, religious or otherwise, that gave promise of helping to build up a community, received prompt and hearty support. It was the boom period in the history of Dakota. But booms are never permanent. A reaction is inevit- able. The last half of the second decade witnessed the reaction that followed the overdoing of its earlier years. Many business enterprises that were begun under encouraging conditions were left unfinished. Many young cities whose enthusiastic founders pre- dicted for them rapid growth and metropolitan dignity, are now older and wiser, and are still far from the promised goal. These disappointed hopes and the fail- ure to accomplish cherished expectations in secular THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 61 affairs, had a depressing- effect on relig-ious work. Plans for the org-anization of churches, or building- houses of worship, were in many localities necessarily postponed, and in some cases permanently abandoned. In our denominational work faithful pastors on exist- ing- fields persevered in their efforts to hold the g-round already occupied. Here and there a new church was established and a shelter secured, but prog-ress was necessarily slow. The relation of Rev. Edward Ellis, as g-eneral missionary, continued nominally until Aug-ust 1, 1885, but it was practically ended a year earlier to enable him to serve as financial ag-ent for the Sioux Palls University. Until 1888 there was a period of four years during- which there was no state superin- tendent of missions on the field. Of the Baptist history of South Dakota down to 1888, the author has carefullv recorded facts as he has learned them from various sources, including- early records, and the statements of surviving- pioneers. The history of this last decade (1888-1898) comes within the scope of his own observation and experience, as it covers the period of ten years of his relation to the work as state superintendent of missions, ^ttac-quc ifsc vidi, ct quorum ^ars fui. His personal relation to the field and the workers during- all of these years, has g-iven him a knowledg-e of its present and prospect- ive importance, and of their fidelity and devotion. The wonderful tide of immig-ration in the earlier years of the preceding- decade broug-ht many thousands of people to establish homes in South Dakota. Its reflu- ent wave took back with it the restless spirits who are always at the front of every new movement, but never remain to do the hard work, and make the sacrifices necessary for its permanent establishment. The 62 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. workers of the last ten years have had to labor under unfavorable conditions, and make slow progress, thoug-h with g-reater effort than is necessary with those who catch the rising- tide, and are borne along- on the crest of the wave. Dakota Territory was still in existence at the beg-in- ning- of this decade. Its division occurred in 1889, and the new states of South Dakota and North Dakota were then admitted into the Union. For some time the question of statehood occupied the special attention of the people, who were passing- from the irksome condi- tion of territorial dependence on g-overnmental g-uard- ianship, to the enjoyment of the privileg-es and exercise of the long'-denied rights of citizenship. After putting in motion the machinery of statehood, there were sev- eral years of drought and crop failure, which caused a good many hopes of the establishment or the enlarge- ment of religious work to fail of their realization. In a number of places the failure of the crops was total, and in others so nearly total as to prevent the carrying out of long-cherished plans for the building of houses of worship, or providing means for the settlement and support of pastors. Still later came the general finan- cial depression throughout the country, and its attend- ant difficulties. All of these things tended to check the progress of the work. It is characteristic, how- ever, of the people of South Dakota that, though they are often cast down, they are not destroyed. They will rally after disappointment and try again. There have been numerous instances of heroic courage and fortitude, under many difficulties, which can be devel- oped only through severe trials, and which illustrate the courageous spirit and unfaltering devotion of the hardy pioneers of this new state. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 63 Until the beg-inning of this decade nothing had been done to establish Baptist churches in the Black Hills. Other denominations had been occupying- the g^round there since 1870, and had become firmly established. The first Baptist church in the Black Hills was org-an- ized October 31, 1888, at Deadwood. Others followed in rapid succession, and there are now seven churches, ^ve of which have attractive houses of worship. The present number of members of churches comprising" the Black Hills association is 383. Our cause there is full of interest and promise for the future. When the present state superintendent of missions for South Dakota entered upon his work in April, 1888, there was not a self-supporting- church on the entire field, except one among- the German Russians. The churches were all dependent upon the American Bap- tist Home Mission Society for aid in the support of pastors. This long--continued condition of dependence had not served to develop the spirit of benevolence and self-reliance. Contributions to all benevolent objects were few and small. Better conditions now prevail. A larg-e number of the churches have become self- supporting-, and others will soon reach that desired g-oal. Generous oifering-s are now made for missionary work. The plan of co-operation between the South Dakota Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission Society was adopted in 1891, and has been heartily approved by the churches, and throug-h its practical working- they have come into a clearer un- derstanding- of the duty of each state to foster its own needy fields, by increasing- its own missionary re- sources. Old methods of work have in larg-e measure g-iven way to newer and better plans, to meet the changed 64 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. and improved condition of things in the state. In the beo-inning- of 1888 there were four associations, one Scandinavian, one German and two American, the Southern Dakota and the Sioux Valley associations. An extinct association in the northern part of the state was resuscitated and reorganized in September, 1888. The Black Hills association was organized in August, 1890. In 1893, to meet the growing needs of the churches, five new American associations were organ- ized east of the Missouri river. It will not be long un- til it will be necessary to organize another association in the northeast corner of the state. In the state organization of the Baptist Young People's Union, in 1891, a new element of strength and helpfulness came into auxiliary relationship with the state convention. Many good results have already followed the application of the consecrated energy of the young people of the churches to missionary work. Their sympathy has been enlisted, and their practical co-operation assured, in the increasingly important work of evangelizing the state. During this period women's mission circles have been organized in most of the churches. The study of missionary literature and plans of work, has increased the efficiency of the Christain women of the churches, and they have been faithful helpers in promoting the primary object of a state convention, the prosecution of missionary work within the state. An intelligent and commendable zeal has character- ized the work among the Scandinavians, Germans and Russians of South Dakota. There are still large, and as yet unreached, communities among these nationali- ties, and active measures are being taken to bring them under the unfluence of the Gospel. The popu- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, PARKER. CHURCH ORGANIZED AT FINLAY, DECEMBEK 25, 1S72. REMOVED TO PARKER IN 1S79. HOUSE OF WOKSHIP DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 9, 1S83. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 65 lation of South Dakota, according- to the national census of 1890, was 328,808. The state census of 1895, not- withstanding- the intervening- years of droug-ht and crop failures, showed a sligfht increase, the total being- 330,975. The native born inhabitants number 240,000, or about seventy-three per cent of the total population. The foreig-n-born inhabitants were 91,000 or twenty- seven per cent of the entire population of the state. Of the 240,000 native born inhabitants, over thirty- three per cent, or about 80,000, were born of foreig-n parents. According- to this showing-, more than one- half of the present population of the state were born in foreig-n lands, or of foreign parentag-e. Of the foreig-n-born population, the nationalities most larg-ely represented are the Scandinavians, the Ger- mans and the Russians. Of the Scandinavians there came to us from Norway, 19,257; from Sweden, 7,746; and from Denmark, 4,369~total, 31,373. There came also from Germany, 18,188; from Russia, 12,398; from other Germanic nations, 2,985 — total, 33,561. These five leading- nationalities, and their children, comprising- so larg-e a porportion of our total population, furnish an attractive field for Baptists. Thoug-h g-ratif ying- results have been accomplished, still g-reater efforts should be put forth to secure their evang-lization. Other denom- inations have accomplished something- among- the Ger- mans, but Baptists are the only people who have been able to reach the Scandinavians of the state. There are now among- the Germans and Russians of South Dakota fifteen Baptist churches, having- twenty-four houses of worship, and 1,280 members. Among- the Scandinavians there are now nineteen Baptist churches, having- twelve houses of worship, and 907 members. The most cordial and friendly relations exist between 5 66 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. the Baptist of these various nationalities and American Baptists, and representatives. are annually sent by them to the state convention, to convey their fraternal g^reet- ing-s. When the author's official relation to the work in South Dakota began, in April, 1888, he found on the rolls of the associations the names of seventy-one churches, having- a reported membership of 2,816. There were at that time thirty-one houses of worship and three parsonages. Twenty of these churches were then extinct, leaving- fifty-one nominally live org-anizations. Since then sixty new churches have been org-anized and forty-seven houses of worship have been built, or secured by purchase, and fifteen parsonag-es. The following- is a list of new churches org-anized during- the last decade, g-iving- the name of the place and county, and the date of org-anization or recog-nition: NAME Orleans (Scandinavian) Faulkton Pierpont Hecla Bradley Lake Norden (Scandinavian). Bushnell Dead wood Spring Valley (Scandinavian) Bruce Gem Rapid City Berton Delmont Hetland Onida St. Lawrence Huron (Scandinavian) Beresford County Faulk Faulk Day Brown Clark Hamlin Brookings - Lawrence . Turner Brookings. Brown Pennington Miner Douglas ._- Kingsbury Sully Hand Beadle Union Date April ^ April 1 May May June September September September October November January March June June June June Julv December April 8, i8S8 27, 1888 14, 1896 15, 1888 .., 1888 8, 1888 17, 1888 1888 1888 1888 1889 1889 16, 18S9 16, 1889 19, 1889 27, 1889 12, 1889 14. 1889 19, 1889 8, 1890 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 67 NAME Washington Hot Springs Custer City Hill Citv Salem (German) Avon (German) Woonsocket Beulah, West Sioux Falls Lead City _. Zion, Clear Lake Lake Preston Groton Clark Highland Chancellor Yankton and Scotland (German). Turkey Valley (Scandinavian) Oelrichs Beaver Basin Salem Parkston (German) Warner Verdon Blendon Vernon .. Conde Fairfax (German) Flandreau Huffton Rose Effington ' Freedom Napier (German) Windom Vernon (Scandinavian) Hayti Mound City (German) Summit ._ Choteau Creek (German) Millville White * County McPherson . Fall River ._ Custer Peniiington _ McCook Bon Homme Sanborn Minnehaha ._ Lawrence Minnehaha.. Kingsbury __ Brown Clark Brown Lincoln Yank Ion and Bon Homme Yankton Fall River Custer McCook Hutchinson Brown Brown Davison Roberts Spink Gregory Moody Brown Spink Roberts Faulk Roberts ._ Roberts- . Hamlin _ .. Campbell . Roberts . . Douglas _. Custer Brookings Date June August August September December December April June September October March March March May July November February March March May January January February March May June June July July March November May December May June September December March October October January 26, 1890 27, 1890 29, 1890 I, 1890 4, 1890 15, 1890 26, 1 89 1 28, 1 89 1 3, 1891 20, 1 89 1 22, 1892 26, 1892 27, 1892 8, 1892 15, 1892 22, 1892 8, 1893 5, 1893 26, 1893 12, 1893 13, 1894 28, 1894 22, 1894 10, 1894 26, 1894 14, 1894 30, 1894 I, 1894 10, 1894 17. 1895 9. 1895 8, 1896 14, 1896 16, 1897 19, 1897 22, 1897 29, 1897 13, 1898 9, 1898 23, 1898 22, 1899 Six of these churches — St. Lawrence, Beulah (West Sioux Palls), Groton, Salem, Huffton and Freedom — have become extinct on account of chang'ed local condi- tions and the removal of the members to other localities. Pollownng- is a list of forty-seven houses of worship built or purchased during- the last decade, g^iving- the 68 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, name and county, the date of dedication, and the value of the property : NAME Gettysburg Oldham White Rock Dell Rapids (Scandinavian). Emanuel's Creek (German). Pierpont Bryant Eureka (German) Daneville (Scandinavian) .__ Madison Vermillion Big Stone City (German) ___ Rapid City Emery (German) Engel (German) Beulah, West Sioux Falls. __ Tyndail (German) Deadwood Beresford Avon (German) Menno (German) .. Spring Valley Bridgewater (German) Plum Creek (German) Hot Springs Custer City Arlington Zion, Clear Lake Parkston Pukwana (Scandinavian) Scotland (German) Armour Salem (German) Big Springs (Scandinavian). Clark _ _.. Ipsvs^ich Akron __ Turkey Valley Chancellor (German) Pierre Lead City Spirit Mound Napier (German) Berton Summit Conde Fairfax County Valuation Dedication Potter Kingsbury __ Roberts Minnehaha _ Bon Homme Day -_- Hamlin McPherson _ Turner Lake Clay Grant Pennington . Hansen McPherson _ Minnehaha . Bon Homme Lawrence _ Union Bon Homme Hutchinson. Turner McCook Hutchinson. Fall River.. Custer Kingsbury .. Minnehaha . Hutchinson. Brule Bon Homme Douglas ._ McCook.. Union Clark ._.- Edmunds. Yankton . Lincoln _. Hughes -- Lawrence Clay Miner Roberts _. Spink Gregory . . $2,000 1,200 750 750 2,800 1,300 1,200 1,200 1,500 4kSOO 10.000 2,000 5,000 1,500 400 2,000 1,700 7,500 1,400 700 800 1,000 2,000 800 5,000 2,800 2,500 1,000 1,000 700 1,000 1,000 1,625 2,230 2,500 2.500 2>87S 1,000 1,500 4,500 4,000 1,500 800 800 800 1,000 800 November November November November Mav July September October November December May July March June July June July September September November November March June July August September September October January March May July September September March April June October December June February February June November March 25, 28, 29, 26, 28, I, 10, 10, 22, 18, 6, '5, 20, 19. 28, 5> 6, 20, 22, 27! i9> 15, 28, 11, 25, 16, 15, II, 21, 9, 10, 24, 13, 10, 21, 23. 16, 2 9'. 9, 21, 5, 888 888 888 888 889 889 889 889 889 889 890 890 891 891 891 891 891 891 891 891 891 892 892 892 892 892 892 892 893 893 89^ 893 893 893 894 894 894 894 894 895 896 896 897 897 899 899 899 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 69 During- this decade of church org-anization, and building- houses of worship, fifteen parsonages have been built or purchased, valued at $11,500. The total valuation of church property secured during- the last ten years, including- parsonag-es, is $108,930.00. In ad- dition to the forty-seven new houses of worship erected, a majority of the older church building-s have been ex- tensively repaired and improved. There are now in South Dakota seventy-eig-ht Baptist houses of worship and eig-hteen parsonag-es. The total reported valuation of Baptist church property in the state is $201,600.00. There are at this time 106 Baptist churches with a total reported membership of 5,786. A careful and conservative policy has been followed in the matter of church org-anization. It has not been deemed wise to multiply org-anizations in localities that g-ive no promise whatever of future g-rowth. The fact of an organiza- tion involves the necessity, during a number of years, of obtaining the funds necessary to aid in the support of a pastor and building a house of worship. The financial conditions that have existed for several years have placed limitations on our ability to do some of the things that have been desirable. With the prospective coming of better times these restrictions will be in a large measure removed, and there will be greater op- portunity for expansion and growth. A few pioneer Baptists were engaged in Sunday school work at Yankton in 1864 and 1865, but the first distinctively Baptist Sunday school in Dakota was or- ganized several miles north of Elk Point, by Rev. G. W. Freeman, in a log house on the banks of the Sioux river, March 26, 1871. Its first superintendent was Dr. John Tremaine. This school came into existence a few days after the organization of the Baptist 70 THE BAPTIST HIsToRY OF SOUTH DAItoTA. church, which, under the various names of Sioux Val-. layy Leroy and Portlandville, is now known as Akron. Other Sunday schools were org-anized in 1871 and 1872 at Vermillion, Lodi, Yankton, Swan Lake, Elk Point and Big- Spring's, but for several years no statistics were g"iven concerning* them in the earlv reports of these churches to the association. In more recent years, and especially since 1881, this department of christian work has been under the superintendence of earnest and capable leaders, who have done much to encourag-e and stimulate the workers. B. S. Wales served as Sunday school missionary from December 1, 1881, to May 1, 1887; David P.Ward, from Julyl, 1888, to September 1, 1895, and Prank D. Hall since October 1, 1895. When the Southern Dakota association was org-anized at Vermillion, in June, 1872, a resolution was adopted which emphasizes three important points, especially worthy of the consideration of Baptists — first, that every one who loves Christ oug-ht to be deeply inter- ested in Sunday school work; second, that every church oug-ht to have its own school under its own control; and third, that a union school should be favored only as a last resort. Our churches g-enerally, especially in later years, have been acting- according- to these ac- cepted maxims. Thoug-h every Baptist church should have a Sunday school of its own, and some of our churches have successfully conducted mission schools, yet there has never been a year when the number of Sunday schools exceeded the number of churches. Ten years ag-o there were 63 schools reported, having- 504 officers and teachers, 3,528 scholars, and a total membership of 4,032. There are now in the state, ac- cording to the statistical reports from the Sunday THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 71 schools to the associations, 86 schools, having- 732 officers and teachers, and 6,330 scholars enrolled, with an average attendance of 3,989. During- these years the reported number baptized from the schools is 1,378. Amount contributed for benevolence, $3,038.31; for expenses, $19,231.90. Total amount raised for both objects, $22,270.21. The last decade has been fruitful in results along- all lines, of work. Taking the number of members re- ported in 1887 as a basis— 2,816, there have been added to the churches by baptism, 4,561; by letter, 2,595; by experience, 804; by restoration, 144. Whole number of additions, 8,104. Total diminutions, 4,384. Net gain in membership, 3,720. The tobal reported contri- butions for expenses and benevolence from the beg-in- ning- of missionary work in South Dakota, in 1864, amount to $570,356.86. Three-fourths of this amount, or $400,955.97, have been contributed during- the last ten years. Previous to 1888 no statistical tables appeared in the records of the convention g-iving a summary of the work done and results accomplished by missionaries under appointment on mission fields in this state. Since then such tables have been annually compiled from the quarterly reports, and they have been pub- lished in the South Dakota Baptist Annual. Prom these tables the following- summary of missionary statistics covering* the last ten years is here g-iven: 72 THEi BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH BAKOTA. Number of Missionaries ._.._. 432 Churches supplied 533 Out-stations supplied 449 Weeks of labor - - 16,123 Sermons preached — 45,234 Prayer meeting's attended - . - 22,378 Persons and families relig-iously visited 102,883 Bibles and Testaments distributed 2,144 Pag-es of tracts distributed _ . . . . 237,217 Number of persons baptized on mission fields - 2,518 Number received by letter and experience 1,814 Paid for building- houses of worship S 32,729 20 Paid for repairing* churches, or parsonag^es- 11,733 02 Paid on church debts - ---- 14,274 90 Contributions for local missions 2,322 58 Contributions for State Missions 3,184 91 Contributions for Hom.e Missions 2,828 08 Contributions for Poreig-n Missions 4,321 97 Contributions for Publication Society 1,016 73 Contributions for Christian education 1,247 48 Contributions for other benevolent objects- 3,957 61 Church expenses (including- building-, re- pairs and debts) - 293,547 25 Total for benevolence '. 18,879 36 Total from Sunday schools for expenses — 8,655 59 Total from Sunday schools for benevolence- 1,924 24 Total amount raised by Sunday schools 10,559 83 Total amount raised by churches - - - - - 312,426 61 Total amount raised by churches and Sun- day schools - 322,986 44 The first three items g-iven show the ag-g-reg-ate for the time named — ten years. The averag-e number of missionaries annually under appointment has been 43; churches supplied, 53; out-stations supplied, 45. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. HURLEY. CHURCH ORGANIZED AT SWAN LAKE DECEMUKR 24, 1S72. REMOVED TO HURLEY IN 1S79. HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED NOVEMKR 15, 1883, THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 73 Some of the early pioneers in South Dakota having- passed away, they are known to the writer of this re- view onlv by the records concerning- them, and their works that have followed them. Others, who yet sur- vive, he has come to know and appreciate for the work they have done, the sacrifices they have made, and for their personal worth. Of the work and the workers, during- the last decade, he has been able to bear record from personal knowledg-e. Faithful services have been rendered under many difficulties and discourag-ements. The period of upheavals and booms, and visionary fore- casts of an improbable future for South Dakota, is a thing- of the past. Relig-ious work has been conducted along- lines that promise permanency and stability. The transition from pioneer experiences, to settled and stable conditions, has rendered necessary a re- casting- of methods of work. In adjusting- themselves to existing conditions, and helping- to mould and shape the destiny of a new state, the spirit that has actuated all classes of the workers has been worthy of the hig-h- est commendation. Harmony has prevailed in all their councils, and unity of feeling- and effort has character- ized their work. In this and the preceding- chapters, the author has furnished a g-eneral outline of the field, and the work that has been done upon it. In several succeeding- chapters will be given interesting- sketches of the per- sonal experiences and personal reminiscences of some of the pioneer missionaries. They have been re- quested to freely tell to this, and the g-enerations fol- lowing-, the story of hardships endured, and sacrifices made, and results accomplished, as they themselves saw them and shared in them. CHAPTER VI. THE FIRST, BAPTIST MISSIONARIES. REV. L. P. JtlDSON AND REV. ALBERT GORE. The first missionary sent to Dakota by the American Baptist Home Mission Society was Rev. L. P. Judson, who came from New York in May, 1864. He was suc- ceeded in 1865 by Rev. Albert Gore. The unsettled condition of the territory during- that period, and the removal of many of the early settlers, rendered futile the first efforts along- the line of missionary work. Settlements were still few in number, and the popula- tion of each was small and constantly chang-ing-. In- dian raids and g-rasshopper visitations discourag-ed some of the pioneers, who returned to their former eastern homes. Under such circumstances the fruits of even well directed missionary operations could not be g-athered, and nothing- permanent could be estab- lished. Even the facts relating- to these early beg-in- ning-s of missionary work were soon forg-otten, since none remained permanently who were familiar with them. Until recently it has been difficult to learn anything- concerning- the services rendered by the first and second Baptist ministers in Dakota Territory. The oldest of the present surviving- pioneers came after their terms of service had ended. Nearly all of the members of the preliminary Baptist org-anization of THE BAJPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 75 1864 had removed from the territory. There was no continuous org^anization to preserve the records or per- petuate the memory of our earliest denominational movements. Such as they were, however, whether per- manent or temporary, they should have a place in our denominational history. Repeated efforts to ascertain the facts relating* to that period having- failed, the author secured the co- operation of Rev. H. Iv. Morehouse, D. D., Field Secre- tary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Throug-h his kindness the old files of papers, quarterly reports, and correspondence preserved at headquar- ters, in New York, for the years 1864 and 1865, were carefully examined. All the letters and reports from Iv. P. Judson and Albert Gore covering* that period were copied. They are herewith placed on record that the details concerning- their work may be known, as they themselves reported it to the society. The appointment of Rev. L. P. Judson dates from May 1, 1864. It was for "Yankton and vicinity." The "vicinity" embraced a larg-er territory than has been common in later years, as it included a missionary oversig-ht of all the early settlements. Under date of July 2, 1864, he writes from Yankton: — "I date my labors as commencing- the first of May, because when I was with you in April, that was the understanding*. The draft was not sent with the com- mission, and I had to send for it, and thus I was hindered. When I arrived at St. Joseph. Mo., the Missouri river had fallen so as to make it difficult for boats to ascend, and hence I was ag-ain delayed. I went on shore at Council Bluffs, la., to spend the Sab- bath. I spent several hours in making- such inquiries as I could. I found several who had once been Bap- 76 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. tists, but they had joined other churches, most of them the Con^reg-ationalists. Prom there I made the best of my way up the river, and arrived in Dakota Terri- tory, May 27. We are in the midst of an Indian war here, but I am not discourag-ed. I have found nineteen Baptist communicants in the territory, whom we hope soon to org-anize into a church." Aug-ust 1, 1864, he writes: — "I statedly supply two stations, with two out-stations. My place of residence and postoffice address is, Yankton, Dakota Territory. I have labored nine weeks during- the past quarter. I have preached twenty-three sermons and g-iven two lectures. Have attended six relig-ious meeting's not of my own appointment; have made ninety-three pastoral visits; I have traveled 2,560 miles. I have received from my people on account of salary, fifty-seven dol- lars. Connected with my labors are two Sabbath schools, five teachers and seventeen scholars. We shall have, when all is arranged, some fourteen mem- bers in our church. We have not yet org-anized, but intend to do so as soon as letters can be obtained from the east, and some other matters can be arrang-ed. We have a very pleasant outside influence in our be- half. Of the colonists who stopped in Iowa were some of our best Baptist families. By correspondence I learn that some of them intend moving- into the terri- tory this fall. I found in this place one Episcopal clerg-yman, and one Baptist, (Rev. Albert Gore) who is not preaching now but I hope he will be within twelve months. About forty miles froni here is a Methodist preacher, who came to this country to obtain relief from a pulmonary complaint. He preaches occasion- ally. Otherwise, I am the only minister of the g-ospel in the territory. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 77 *'My principal station for preaching- is in this place. I also have stated appointments at Bon Homme. That is the county seat of Bon Homme county, and is twenty miles west of here. They intend to have a church there ultimately. The principal reasons why I have not preached more sermons during- the quarter are .these: It has been an unfavorable season of the year for holding- evening- meeting-s, and also for the want of a suitable place in which to hold meeting-s. There is but one building- at all suitable in the place, and that is the one used as the capitol. This the Episcopalians occupy three Sabbaths in each month. We cannot well have our meeting-s. Sabbath schools, etc., separate, at our pleasure, until we g-et a house of worship of some kind. "On Monday last, about 9 o'clock A. M., a cloud of g-rasshoppers came and lighted upon this reg-ion, and they have devoured everything-. Our territory is en- tirely stripped of everything- in the line of veg-etables, that was g-rowing- on farm or g-arden. Everything- of the kind that is eaten in the territory for the year to come must be drawn in from the states, and mostly by ox teams. Many of our colonists only made provisions until the harvest of the present season. Now they have everything- to purchase until after the harvest of 1865. It is known that we now have an Indian war, and the soldiers have now g-one above to fig-ht the tribes at war with us. But there are many thousands of In- dians this side of the soldiers. A cry raised that the Indians are starving- and coming- down to rob us, would cause a commotion not easily described. We have about two thousand white inhabitants, besides about twenty thousand Indians, who must have provisions broug-ht to them from the states, or more or less of them will perish with hunger. 78 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. "These are the facts in the case. A famine is cer- tainly upon us if we do not get provisions from the states. The masses of the people are not excited about the matter as yet, because they are supplied for the present. But observing- men see what is inevitably in the future, and are quietly planning to meet the emergency that will arise. I have decided not to bring my family here this fall, but to leave them in the state of New York where they are now, until spring. As to my own labors, I am not discouraged. We have only to trust in God. I expected obstacles when I came, but did not expect them in exactly this form, nor to this extent. But still I am willing to labor on, and pa- tiently toil and endure. It may be possible that very little will be realized from the people toward my sup- port. Indeed, I have already been named as one, with two or three others, to go east and obtain provisions to feed the people. We very inneh need a house of vjorshijy in this -place. There is not a house of zuorship i)i the territory. Such as we want would cost about two thou- sand dollars. One-half of the amount could have been raised here before the destructive grasshoppers. What can be done now I am not certain. August 10, 1864, he writes: — "We had intended to build a church in this place, and one in Bon Homme, the ensuing spring, or perhaps earlier. Since the visit of the grasshoppers we have concluded to defer building at Bon Homme for the present, but we need a place, a house of w^orship, here. We have no place in which to hold our meetings, except once in each month, then we have the capitol building. All other meetings have to be held on ranches or wherever we can get a place. We have no separate Sunday school, which we deem important. We wish, by the grace of God, to do THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 79 our own work in our own way. As the people have had such an afflictive dispensation of Providence in having- their food, etc., taken from them this season, they do not object to having- us call on Christians, in more favored circumstances, to aid them in the erec- tion of a comfortable and proper house of worship. There is not such a house in the territory for any de- nomination. Our brethren are particularly anxious that I should ^o on such an errand, to be absent from four to six weeks. Rev. Albert Gore, who I think oug-ht to be preaching-, will take care of most of my appointments during- my absence, if I g-o. Por the above reasons and to aid in arrang-ing my family for the winter, I should like to leave in September or Oc- tober if the board approves. The proposition is en- dorsed by the governor, surveyor-general and other officials here." In his report dated November 1, 1864, he says: — "I statedly supply three stations and two out-stations. I have labored thirteen weeks this quarter; preached thirty-seven sermons; delivered one lecture on educa- tion; attended three other religious meetings; visited religiously one hundred and three families; and have traveled in the discharge of my duties six hundred and twenty-two miles. 'I have received from my people eight3^-seven dollars. One of my preaching stations, Bon Homme, has been so far forsaken by its inhabi- tants that for the present I have discontinued appoint- ments there. There are only three or four families left in the place. The people left on account of Indian alarms and the fear of famine during the winter. We have had a preliminary organization of a church, or rather a Baptist missionary association. The object is to secure concert of action, to have our friends ac- 80 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. quainted with each other, and to have all feel the obli- g-ations of church membership as far as possible. The reason of this preliminary arrang'ement is that our members live so far apart that hitherto it has not been practicable to have a g'eneral meeting", when we could have the church formally and fully organized. The ''modus operandi was to read to each, or have each read the articles of faith and the covenant, and on ob- taining their assent and approval, to put down their names as members of the association. At the earliest day consistent, we intend to have a general meeting and then have our church properly organized. Until then I do not feel at liberty to administer the ordi- nances. We number eighteen members. I have at- tended one funeral since I came to the territory, and that was a case of suicide, a Roman Catholic. There are no Catholic priests here. "Our people are struggling nobly against the effects of the drought and the grasshopper raid last season. Some have left the territory through fear of want and distress during the winter, but by timely efforts, which we are encouraging all to put forth, we think provisions enough will be secured to prevent any par- ticular suffering from want of food. This was re- g-arded as an important point, and encouragement has been given to the work by those having the interests of the people at heart. I have taken hold personally, and have done what I consistently could in connection with my other labors. I went once to mill, between forty-five and fifty miles, into the state of Iowa, pur- chased grain, had it ground, returned, and distributed among- the families that furnished the means. "Notwithstanding all the unfavorable circumstances, Yankton has never grown so rapidly as it has the past THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 81 season. It is the capital of the territory and must grow. It seems to me that now is the time to secure the right influence for the Baptist church here and the Baptist cause in the territory. I therefore have con- cluded to avail myself of the kindness of the board in granting- me a furlough for three months, to visit our brethren and friends in the east, and secure means to erect for us a good and convenient house of worship. This we propose to build next season. We have a very pleasant outside influence in our favor here. The Hon. W. A. Burleigh, delegate to congress elect, will head the subscription with S250.00. Governor Edmonds will also help, and others, so that we look here for from one to two thousand dollars. Then we wish to raise enough abroad to build us a house that will cost from four to fi.ve thousand dollars. Mr. Burleigh, whose mother is a Baptist, and an intelligent one, says he will make efforts in Pennsylvania, and especially in Philadelphia, where he is personally acquainted, and this he will do without expense to us. He expresses the belief that enough can be easily raised to give us a house worth five thousand dollars. I now intend to leave about the middle of December, or before." Yankton, Dak., February 1, 1865. — "Report of labor under the appointment of the Home Mission Society for the third quarter, ending January 31st, 1865 : I have labored thirteen weeks in this quarter ; preached twenty-three sermons ; delivered one lecture ; attended six prayer meetings and other religious meetings ; vis- ited sixty-one families and persons religiously, and have traveled in the discharge of my duties one hun- dred and eighty miles. I have received on account of my salary eighty-one dollars. Besides the above I have opened thirty-five meetings of the Legislative 82 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Council with prayer, for which service I received sixty dollars, which is included in the amount here acknowl- edged. I am now able to avail myself of the kindness of the board in allowing- me to visit my family and arrang-e matters for their comfort and welfare. Brother Gore will fill my appointments during- my absence, and if the board approves, will take the field and devote himself to the work of preaching- the g-lori- ous g-ospel. He is an intellig-ent and capable brother, and I have labored to g-et him into the field somewhere. His family are here, and I am willing- to g-ive him my place, thoug-h I like the field and the country." Mr. Judson left Dakota early in February, 1865. His successor was Rev. Albert Gore. In his formal appli- cation for appointment, under date of January 23, 1865, Mr. Gore says: "My postoffice address is Yankton. I am thirty-one years of ag-e. There are in my family, depending- on me for support, four. I was educated at Kalamazoo Colleg-e, Michigan, and was ordained at Watervliet, Michig-an." In his letter accompanying- his first quarterly report, dated May 1, 1865, he says : "I reside at Brule Creek, Union county, Dakota. My field comprises the settled portions of the Territory of Dakota. I statedly supply four stations. I have received from the field on account of salary during- the quarter $11.00. I very much reg-ret the chang-e on this field. I am well satisfied that it would have been far better for the cause to have kept Brother Judson here. •He seemed peculiarly adapted to this kind of labor. I am not. Besides, I have been here for nearly three years attending- to secular matters, and most of the time taking- an active part in the politics of Dakota. This course of conduct has made me many enemies here, and of course I must now contend against their THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 83 prejudices. Brother Judson came here as a minister. The people received him g-ladly, and were far better pleased with him than with any minister of whatever denomination that has ever been here before." After stating- that he came to Dakota to secure a home for himself and family, he writes: "At Mr. Judson's request I gfave up all to eng^ag^e ag^ain in the work of the ministry, which, however, I intended to do next year." He then adds that he does not consider himself well adapted to that field, and that his family was about to return to Michig^an, whither he expected to g^o in the near future. The last letter from him is dated at Brule Creek, October 31, 1865, saying- that he has statedly supplied three stations and two out-stations, and received from the field on account of salary, $25.00. He makes this statement concerning- the disturbed condition of thing-s in the new settlements: "During- the month of Au- g-ust the upper Indians came down upon our settlement, and wnthin sig-ht of my door killed one man, and wounded three others, at work cutting- their hay. This has caused g-reat excitement and alarm throug-h this portion of the country, and created a g-eneral feeling- of insecurity among- all classes of our citizens. Many left for a time, and many more are kept in constant prep- aration to leave at the first re-appearance of dang-er. While this feeling- prevailed it was almost impossible to g-et the people tog-ether for relig-ious exercises, as every one seemed impressed mainly with thoug-hts of their own personal safety; consequently we decided it was best to delay completing our org-anization until those of our number who left return and quiet is again restored among us." These extracts from letters and reports furnish 84 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. substantially all the information now available con- cerning- the nine months of missionary services ren- dered in Dakota by Rev. I>. P. Judson, in 1864, and eleven months in 1865 by Rev. Albert Gore. It is unfortunate that Mr. Judson did not return to the field, to accom- plish, if possible, the work beg-un, and thus perfect the organization of the church at Yankton, and build the contemplated house of worship. Prom his letters it is evident that he thoug-ht that he had left the work in competent hands, but his successor, according to his own statement, was not so well qualified for the field or the work. Each of them labored under conditions that put limitations upon the results that they desired to accomplish. Some of those adverse conditions have already been stated. Mr. Judson came to Dakota in charge of a colony from New York. In supervising the interests of this colony it was necessary to give to it considerable time and attention. Mr. Gore came in 1862 to establish a home, and without intending to de- vote his time to missionary work. It is said, by some of the earliest pioneers, that when he filed his applica- tion on his homestead at Brule Creek it was the first application made by any of the early settlers on gov- ernment lands in that section of the territory. He gave his attention mainly to secular business and politics. He was a member of the territorial legisla- ture in 1863-4. Mr. Judson was elected chaplain by the legislature in 1864. The facts recorded in this chapter, having been ob- tained so recently, will be entirely new to the Baptists of the present generation, and substantially so even to surviving pioneer missionaries. The latter, who came in 1871 and later, have been able to learn comparatively little of the first missionary movements in the terri- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 85 tory, previous to their own identification with the work. The few earliest Baptists who knew anything- of the feeble beg-inning-s, under the leadership of L. P. Judson and Albert Gore, had been scattered, and they left be- hind them no records of the church org-anization or any details of missionary work accomplished. With this explanation, the reader will better understand occa- sional references to this period, in the historical remi- niscences g-iven by Rev. J. E. Rockwood and Rev. G. W. Freeman, in Chapters VII and IX. CHAPTER VII. REV. J. E. ROCKWOOD. The statements recorded in the preceding- chapter g-ive us all the available information concerning the first Baptist missionary movements in South Dakota. From them we learn that the attempt to establish a Baptist church was not permanently successful. The unsettled condition of thing's in the new settlements at that time was unfavorable. The first missionary on the field seemed to be interested in his work, but there were limitations on his usefulness. The second mis- sionary was but little interested in either the field or the work. His time and attention were devoted largely to other things. Under these conditions, and others local in their character, no permanent results were ac- complished. The third missionary whose name is identified with our religious operations in South Dakota was Rev. J. E. Rockwood. His zeal and devotion are deserving of the highest commendation. The services that he rendered were incidental to his work as pastor of the First Baptist church in Sioux City, la., yet they left a permanent impression on the state of South Dakota. From March, 1866, to August, 1869, he made numerous missionary tours up the Missouri river, especially to Yankton, Vermillion and Elk Point. Baptist churches were organized at Yankton and Vermillion. The THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 87 scattered Baptists were gathered tog-ether, and were g-reatly encourag-ed by the ministrations of the g-ospel. In 1868, Rev. G. J. Johnson, D. D., Western Secre- tary of the American Baptist Publication Society, accompanied Mr. Rockwood on one of his reg-ular mis- sionary tours from Sioux City into Dakota Territory. The following- extracts are taken from his letters written at Yankton, April 27, 1868, and published in the Central Baptist, at St. Louis, Mo. : "Beautiful for situation, is Yankton, the capital of Dakota. It is on an elevated plain, on the north bank of the Missouri river. It is sixty-five miles in a straig-ht course northwest from Sioux City, and is in the southeast part of the territory. Only ten years ago the first white man settled here, and only eig-ht years ago came the first white women. The only other towns of importance are Vermillion, thirty miles below, along the river, and Elk Point, about fifteen miles below Vermillion. These two towns are county seats, and each has possibly two hundred inhabitants. Sioux Falls on the Sioux river, was the first point at which a settlement was made, in 1856, but at the time of the Indian massacre in 1862, the place was abandoned, and now has a very small white population, beside the soldiers stationed there. Several days of travel and observation through this valley country have prepared us to pronounce it as rich and productive as any land^ that we have ever seen. "Of course, in a territory only a few days more than seven years old, and where the population is so small and widely scattered, our denominational organizations must be few and feeble. Rev. J. E. Rockwood, of Sioux City, Iowa, who is Baptist bishop of all the northwestern part of Iowa, is sole bishop also of Dakota. He has traversed the entire settled portion of this territory, looked up the scattered Baptists, and organized three little churches, all there are as yet in Dakota. First, a church of seven members was organ- 88 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ized in this city, Yankton, February 3, 1867; a second one of five members at Vermillion, February 16, 1868, and a third one yesterday, April 26, at Elk Point. There are about as many more Baptists in the vicinity of these little churches, ready to unite with them as soon as the opportunity is offered. There are prob- ably fifty Baptists in all, scattered throug-h the settle- ments of the territory, but no minister lives among- them, and they have no house of worship. Surely this is with them a 'day of small thing's.' *'But there is a g-reat future coming-. There is yet to be a g-reat population in Dakota, and this now wild territory is to become one of the g-reat states of our Union. Then will our little churches become strong' ones, and the few Baptists of today will be numbered by thousands. Notwithstanding-, then, the work of Brother Rockwood may now appear so small, it is nevertheless g-reat, not only in its importance to the present population of this territory, but in the fact that it is the foundation work for a g-reat future." These extracts from the correspondence of Dr. John- son are given here as the testimony of one who in that early day was able to make a personal study of the field, and knew something- of the character of the pio- neer work done by Rev. J. E. Rockwood. The follow- ing- sketch is a valuable contribution to the early Bap- ^tist history of South Dakota. It was prepared by Mr. Rockwood in 1892: EARLY BAPTIST MOVEMENTS IN DAKOTA. Since your request came for a historical paper, I have been searching* such records as I have at my com- mand. I will do the best I can in sketching- early Baptist movements in Dakota. What I have to say will be largely autobiographical, for reasons which will be evident further on. I reached Sioux City, Iowa, October 29, 1864. Breth- ren who knew more of the west than I did, seemed to KEV. J. E. ROCKW^OOD. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 89 shudder at the bravado with which I commenced my stag-e journey from central Iowa for the frontier at Sioux City, about two hundred miles distant. My inquiries at Sioux City concerning" the reg^ion towards the setting" sun, disclosed the fact that a few Baptists were known to be located at Yankton and Vermillion, and that Rev. Albert Gore was on a claim, at Brule Creek, six or seven miles north of Elk Point. He had preached occasionally at Sioux City. I do not think it was known at Sioux City that Rev. L. P. Judson was in the Territory of Dakota. How soon I became ac- quainted with Brother Gore I do not now remember. Probably not until Brother Judson left Dakota, which was on January 24, 1865. As he passed throug-h the city he called on me, and reported the situation. I think that he had entered the territory with what was known as the New York Colony. He may have been largfely instrumental in starting" that movement. He certainly g'ave much of his time and labor to its inter- ests. Some of the Baptists at Yankton must have known of him, but his own statements, and later in- quiries made on the g"round, coincide in showing" that his evang"elistic and missionary eiforts are to be placed at a minimum. He left Dakota convinced that his colony was, for the time, a failure. The tension and drain of the civil war made its plans inopportune. As Mr. Gore's commission dated from February, 1865, and my endorsement was gfiven to the applica- tion, it is possible that he had reported the movements of Mr. Judson, and the possibility of his departure. During" the first half of the time that he held his com- mission, I heard but little concerning* him or his work. I was then too busy with our church building" enter- prise at Sioux City, and with my Iowa explorations, to g"o spying" into a brother's work, especially as a regfion in Iowa sixty miles east and west, and reaching' from the Minnesota line south to Council Bluffs, was the "vicinity" named in my commission. In September, 1865, Mr. Gore supplied my pulpit while I attended the Western Iowa association at Jefferson. As this re- 90 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP" SOUTH DAKOTA. quired 320 miles travel with a pony, he came and went during my absence. On Saturday, November 18, Rev. B. T. Hiscox, D. D., of New York and Rev. C. A. Bateman, then of Mis- souri, came to Sioux City. On Monday morning- I drove to Elk Point and Brule Creek, taking- both these brethren with me. The object of Dr. Hiscox's visit was a personal inspection of the home mission stations along- what was then the border of the east side of the Rocky Mountains. Brother Gore's field was then the ultima thulc, as mine had been earlier, and was later. I had already met Brother Gore at various times, and had sufficient knowledge of his work to have saved that long journey of nearly sixty miles, through a very sparsely settled country. I declined the responsibility of such a report, and insisted upon personal inspection by Dr. Hiscox. Of his interview with Brother Gore, and its results, I know nothing. I do know that while his commission made Yankton the center of his opera- tions, he spent most of his time on his claim at Brule Creek, forty miles distant, and that he made few ap- pointments for Sabbath services far or near. Yet a broader view than this is due to Brother Gore and his work. The same conditions which made Brother Judson's movements futile, were still opera- tive. In 1864, the only portions of the territory which werie settled, were limited by the valley of the Missouri and in the region of Pembina. The Missouri valley settlements were stretched out one hundred miles westward, along the river. The civil war and the mountain gold fever had reduced the population of Sioux City from two thousand in 1859 to about eight hundred in 1864. The grasshopper raid of 1364 had compelled the temporary abandonment of a considerable proportion of homesteads in Dakota. The Indian scare, while it sent some away, saved that region for the time from utter ruin. It was the government expenditures, rather than the bullets of the soldiers, that protected the settlements. The vain marching and counter- marching of the troops made them in some respects a THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 91 laug-hing- stock. But those who knew laughed for another reason. Still it is true that the troops kept the people there, and kept the Indians away. . Under such conditions missionary work was possible only through the support of the Home Mission Society. The settlers had no money to help. Money was gath- ered only by those who speculated in government supplies, and was lavishly expended by them, but they never made good church deacons, and pastors could not depend on them for advice. No one dared to say that he and his family would report at roll call, after another trial at cropping the newly broken prairies. Brother Gore's latest connection with Baptist work in Dakota was really ended in December, 1865. His fam- ily had gone east, I think, the year before. He came to Sioux City and remained at our house until January 14, 1866, when he preached the sermon at the dedication of the first house of worship built by the First Baptist church in Sioux City. A day or two later he left us, going southward. A member of a family living at Brule Creek, Dakota, boarded in my home during the winter of 1865-6. At the request of this family I visited Elk Point and Brule Creek and held services March 25, 1866. Home duties prevented further explorations for a time. January 1, 1867, with the mercury eight degrees below zero, I rode to Vermillion, and stopped with a brother Carpenter. The next day I drove to Yankton. There I found a Dr. Stevens, from below Elk Point. He was attending the territorial legislature. I stopped at the Bradlev house with him. Next evening, (Thursday) I preached in the Episcopal church. During this visit I made the acquaintance of Judge M. Congleton and wife, J. D. Vanderhule and wife, Mrs. Morrow, Mrs. Savage, and Mrs. Monroe — all Baptists, I believe. On the 4th I returned to Sioux City,, sixty-five miles, reaching home in the evening, during a blizzard. I missed the road once in the darkness, and when I found it I had passed Dr. Stevens' house, my intended stopping place. I preferred the risk of a ten-mile drive zcitli the drifting 92 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH PAKOTA. snow storm, then increasing-, rather than to face the northwest wind, though I knew that I was only a mile from the desired shelter. On the first of February I drove again to Vermillion. Here I had to leave my sleigh and take to the saddle for a ride of thirty miles to Yankton. I preached there in the evening. On Sabbath afternoon, February 3, 1867, I organized the First Baptist church at Yankton, at the home of Judge Congleton. Among the constitu- ent members were Judge Congleton and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderhule, Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Morrow. Other preaching tours were made to Yankton and Vermillion and Elk Point, in the months of July, August, September, November and December, 1867, January, February, March, June, July and September, 1868. I preached in and near Yankton twenty-nine times. The latest date is that of two services held there August 1, 1869. The Yanktonlchurch reported by letter and delegates to the -Western Iowa Baptist Association. Its name is on the pages of the minutes of that association as a member, I think as early as 1867, but certainly so in 1868. My records show[^that, commencing' with my first trip to Yankton, in January, 1867, down to the organization of the church at Vermil- lion, I had preached in Dakota, west of the Sioux river, thirty-six times, within nine of the fourteen calendar months of this interval, and that sixteen other sermons followed, closing with August 1, 1869. The Baptist church at Vermillion was organized February 16, 1868, in the oldjlog school house, at the foot of the ravine, near where the town was formerly located. I have an indistinct recollection of statements connecting that building or its erection with the move- ment of troops sent to guard the settlements from Indian depredations. I had left home the day before, and found extremely muddy roads. ^I reached Vermil- lion late, but preached before sleeping. On the I5th I preached in the log school house twice, carried through the work of organization, and then preached in the school house about three miles north. The four ser- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 93 vices, besides the extra work, fell within twenty-four hours. At the close I bade them drive with me where they pleased, and I dropped upon the straw in the wagfon box to rest my bursting- head. In less than thirty days from this I was lying- on my bed at home, unconscious, nerveless, paralyzed. For live years mine was a fig-ht with the imminence of death. I am thank- ful to believe that at the end of that time, I had so far recovered as to be no more liable to paralytic troubles than if I had never so suffered. The constituent mem- bers of the church at Vermillion were T. K. Hovey, Mrs. Electa B. Hovey, Sanford A. Ufford, Mrs. Wm. Shriner and Miss Rachael M. Ross (Mrs. H. J. Austin.) On June 22 I baptized Sister Thompson in the Vermil- lion river, and in the evening- she and her husband were received into the church. This church was also re- ceived into membership by the Western Iowa Baptist Association, September 4, 1868, and was represented by deleg-ates T. K. Hovey and w4fe, and Rachael M. Ross. The org-anization of the church at Elk Point occurred April 26, 1868. Rev. G. J. Johnson, D. D., district secretary of the Publication Society, was with me. He preached at Vermillion April 23, at Yankton on the 24th, and at Elk Point on the 25th and 26th. Deacon Weston and wife and two others responded to the call for org-anization. Nothing- more was done at that time. I preached at Elk Point only once more, July 21. We had expected a larg-er membership. As matters turned out, the org-anization at Elk Point was merely nominal. As to officers, I think that only a clerk was chosen. The other churches, at Yankton and Vermillion, were fully officered and performed reg-ular church work. Dr. Johnson took up collections for the Publication Society. I had at different times taken collections for the Home Mission Society. Throug-h Dr. Johnson I received an appointment as a colporteur, and did some of that kind of work in the territory. I had expected to continue long-er in the pastoral oversig-ht of the three churches that were org-anized in Dakota, but my fig-ht 94 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. for life was not yet over. For a considerable time I could do but little pulpit work. I suppose that after a time the churches ceased reg-ular work until Rev. G. W. Freeman came. I may add some statements showing- under what diffi- culties I was laboring-. The distance from Sioux City to Yankton was sixty-five miles. * The nearest Baptist pastors in Iowa were at Dennison and Council Bluffs. Calls for work were incessant, east, north and south of Sioux City. All of this travel, and that to the associa- tions and conventions, and into Dakota, had to be done by my own team. The services rendered in Dakota began March 25, 1865, arid ended August 1, 1869. When I settled in Sioux City, in October, 1864, I had to go by stage from Boonesboro, Iowa, a distance of about two hundred miles. Since then, while engaged in this bor- der warfare of nearly thirty years' duration, I have learned to face the storms of nature and of man, to suffer and to wait. The end will come by and by. As I look over the State Annuals, I see the, growth of our churches since I gave myself to frontier work. All of the churches in the two Dakotas, and all in Nebraska except three, are later than my first work in what are now three states. One of your inquiries remains unanswered. It is concerning the visit to Dakota of Rev. E. E. L. Taylor, D. D., who was then one of the corresponding secre- taries of the Home Mission Society. He spent a few days in Dakota during the last week of July, 1866, visiting the Yankton Indian agency. His chief or only business while in Dakota was concerning a proposition of the government to furnish some of the Indian agencies with teachers appointed by the Home Mission Society, and paid by the government. His investiga- tions led to an adverse report, and so far as Baptists were concerned, the matter passed out of sight. When I left Sioux City and Dakota in 1869, the tide of immigration had but fairly reached us. I think that Sioux City doubled in population in 1869 and again in 1870. Dakota gained in like proportion. The uplands THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 95 beg-an to be chosen for tillag-e as well as for g-razing*. Railroad communication was opened to Sioux City in 1868. My conveniences for travel were by stag-e coach, by pony express, and sometimes by ferries propelled by my own arms. As my avoirdupois never exceeded one hundred and twenty-five pounds, that brawn was never excessive. The roads between towns were lined with g-rass often ten feet hig-h. To avoid the mud in summer I was accustomed, in g'oingf up the Missouri, to skirt the bluffs until they turned up the James river, and then go for miles throug-h the g-rass when it was hig-her than my head when standing- up in my carriag-e. My compass was sig-hting- a point on the river when entering- the g-rass, and a straig-ht trail afterward. Dry matches in my pocket were my fire g-uard in the spring- and autumn months. I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to do what I did in the early days of Dakota. I would be g-lad to g-reet once more the friends I then knew. Some time, perhaps, I may see Dakota ag-ain — but 7?iy Dakota^ of the '60's, is g-one forever. CHAPTER VIII. CHAPL.AIN GEORGE D. CROCKER. Among- the earliest pioneers in Dakota Territory was Rev. Georg-e D. Crocker. Having- served as chaplain of a New York reg-iment during- the civil war, he was appointed chaplain in the reg-ular army in 1867, and was at once assig-ned to duty at Fort Wads worth, Da- kota, in what afterwards became known as the Sisseton Reservation. In 1870, his post of duty was chang-ed to Port Sully, where he remained until 1885. His term of service in Dakota covered a period of eighteen years. Those under his immediate care as chaplain were the officers and soldiers at the military posts where he was stationed. To them he was conscientiously faithful, seeking- to promote their moral and spiritual condition. As the result of his labors conversions were frequent. The Standard, in May 1875, g-ives an account of a re- vival at Port Sully. By the kind co-operation of the post commandant and the post quartermaster, a con- venient baptistry was constructed at the fort, and three soldiers were then baptized. Others were baptized afterwards. The writer has interviewed several offi- cers of the reg-ular army, who were stationed at these military posts, and all have spoken in the hig-hest terms of the g-entlemanly bearing- and Christian fidelity of Chaplain Crocker. But faithful services rendered to those who were specially under his religious oversight did not fill up CHAPLAIN GEORGE D. CROCKER, 1867-1885. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 97 the measure of his usefulness. He sought to help others, at first the Indians to whom he could tell the g-ood news of the gospel in their own language, and afterwards it was his delight to cheer and comfort the incoming settlers, who were scattered as sheep having no shepherd. Through the Standard, and other relig- ious newspapers, he occasionally gave notice to the early settlers, of the fact of his being stationed at Port Sully, and his readiness to respond to any calls for re- ligious services, or, assistance and comfort in cases of sickness or death. As a military officer, he could not engage in distinc- tively denominational work, yet through frequent visits and sermons preached, he was mainly instrumental in the organization of the Baptist churches at Pierre and Blunt. Among the homes in Pierre where he was always a welcome guest was that of Hon. D. C. Mead. In answer to a request for reminiscences concerning Chaplain Crocker, Mrs. Mead describes the zeal and interest shown by him in the matter of a church organ- ization, his deep spirituality, his gentleness, and his earnest desire to do good to others, and says, '*My thought of him is that of a pure, white soul, doing the kindest thing in the kindest way." One of the tributes to his life and character, published after his death, in 1888, by one who knew him best says, '*The Christian character of this departed saint was one of strength and beauty. His daily walk and conversation exempli- fied, to a remarkable degree, the doctrines of the gospel which it was his delight to preach. A peculiar tender- ness and sweetness of disposition, and a spirit of love and charity towards all, were most happily united with a firm unwavering adherence to his views of duty and doctrine." 98 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. At the request of the writer, who felt that the ser- vices rendered by Chaplain Crocker entitled him -to an honored record among* the faithful pioneers in the Baptist history of South Dakota, the following- sketch of his life and work has been prepared by one of his daug-hters, Miss Mary G. Crocker, of Denver, Col.: Georg-e Dauchy Crocker was born at Ridg-efield, Conn., December 25, 1822- He was of Hug-uenot ances- try, being- descended on the maternal side from one Jacques D'Auchy, the story of whose martyrdom is detailed in Benedict's "History of the Baptists." His father was a useful local preacher of the Methodist church at Ridg-efield. He was converted at the ag-e of 16 years, in Detroit, Mich., and was baptized at Dan- bury, Conn., by Rev. Addison Parker. In 1843 he was licensed to preach by the Second Baptist church of Danbury. He received his education at the Hamilton Literary and Theolog-ical Institution (now Colg-ate University). In 1845 Mr. Crocker was ordained by a council called by the Baptist church of Cross River, N. Y. He was afterward pastor at Cross River and Ithaca, N. Y., South Groton, Newburyport and Edg-erton, Mass., and Phoenix, R. I., and for some years was city missionary at Paterson, N. J. In 1852 he married Miss Lydia Allen, of Providence, R. I., who survives him, with a son and two daug-hters. In 1861 he received an appointment as chaplain of the Sixth New York Volunteer Cavalry, and rendered faithful service throug-hout the war. Having- been thus identified with the army for that long- and trying term, it was but natural that his interest in the army, and his missionary zeal for his Master, should prompt him to seek an appointment in the reg-ular army. Prom the date of that appointment, in 1867, until 1885, he was stationed at two g-arrisons in Dakota Territory — Port Wadsworth (afterwards Port Sisseton-), and Port Sully — both now abandoned. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 99 It was during' these riper years of his ministry, and on pioneer g^round, that the most efficient and telling- work of his life was done. Althoug-h liis mission as an army chaplain was chiefly to those connected with the military posts at which he was stationed, and these army duties were not neg-lected, yet he considered it his duty, and made it his privileg-e, to preach and min- ister, wherever opportunity offered, to the Sioux Indians, whose lang-uag-e he learned, and who looked reverently upon him as their friend, when by mo&t of the whites they were regarded with suspicion, or even disg-ust. Many a time in a smoky "teepee" or a stifling- log- hut, he gathered a little audience of dusky listeners, and, with his Dakota Indian Bible in hand, gave them the word of eternal life. And many a time in his journeyings with his family over prairie and along river bottom, he would stop a traveling party of Indians, or one lone individual, and after preliminary courtesies, give them the good news in their own tongue. His quarters at Port Sully were the goal of any poor red man in distress of any kind, and many of these heard the gospel there for the first time in their lives. The seed was sown beside all waters, and only One knows what prospered, this or that. When, however, the lands in Dakota were surveyed and thrown open by the government to settlement, and little claim shanties and primitive hamlets began to spring up here and there, the chaplain considered his field enlarged, and his call to service in the "regions beyond" was gladly answered. Then it was his delight to drive out from Port Sully, get acquainted with the people, and, when his duties at the garrison would allow, hold a gospel service with those whose only opportunity it was to hear the gospel preached. In the kindly offered homes of the settlers, and later in school houses, or in the open air, these simple services were held, followed by the brotherly hand-grasp with those in whose welfare he was genuinely interested, and who learned to look upon the chaplain's face, with its crown of snowy hair, and with peace and good-will 100 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. beaming- from it, as the face of their tried and true friend. This work, as well as that at the fort, was of neces- sity, not upon a distinctively denominational basis. It was when a little company of Baptists was found among- the new comers to the new settlement, since well known as Pierre, that his most fervid interest was awakened and centered. Recog^nizing- the importance of the g"eo- g-raphical location of the town, and delig'hting* in the fellowship of brother Baptists, from which he had been almost entirely cut off, he made frequent jour- neys with his family, driving throug-h bitter cold, or burningf heat, from his station, a distance of thirty miles, that he might meet with and encourage these pioneers of the Baptist brotherhood of Pierre, since become a goodly band. When an organization was effected, and a place of meeting secured, his satisfac- tion and gratitude were great. The wilderness blos- somed as the rose. To have a part, however small, in the fulfilling of that blessed prophecy, and in the com- ing of the king'dom among men, is no small thing. Al- though very much of Chaplain Crocker's work was most quietly done, and in his retiring spirit he took no honor or credit to himself, even though from much of his work there was no apparent result, yet it is not too much to say that the seed of the kingdom, sown thus upon the virgin soil of the frontier, has in these later days, borne some fruit in the religious history of South Dakota. In 1885, Chaplain Crocker was appointed Superin- tendent of Education in the army, and stationed at St. Louis, where he remained until retired, according to army regulation, at the age of 64, in 1886. Some time was then spent in Detroit, Mich., where he expected to make the home of his declining years, and where the ministry of the beloved Dr. Z. Grenell was a source of great delight to him. Later, as health failed, he was taken to the seashore, in the hope of recovery, but after a long and distressing mental and physical illness, the faithful servant went from the home of his son, at Kan- ':akee. 111., to his eternal home, April 21, 1888. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. lOl Chaplain Crocker's devotion to his Master, to duty, and to doctrine, were his strong-est characteristics, and his delig*ht in the prosperity of his beloved denomina- tion, was among- his chief joys. The record of such a life is written above, and in the hearts of many, dusky of face, as well as white, who loved him, and to whom he pointed the way of life, in South Dakota. CHAPTER IX. RET. GEORGE W. FREEMAN. The most conspicuous iig-ure in the group of early pioneer laborers in South Dakota is Rev. George W. Freeman. He was born in Stockbridg-e, N. Y., Aug-ust 10, 1819. After completing- his education he came to Wisconsin in 1851, and became pastor at Whitewater. Other pastorates in Wisconsin were at Horicon, Lake City, New Lisbon, and Kilbourn City. For several years he had charg-e of a young- ladies' seminary at Pox Lake, Wisconsin. During- the progress of the- work of building- the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail- roads, he was employed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society to lead in pioneer missionary work at various important points along the lines of these traUvS- continental roads between Omaha and the Pacific coast. Several churches were organized and houses of wor- ship built under his superintendence. After a preliminary visit to Dakota in 1870, he was appointed general missionary for the territory. He entered on the duties of this office March 1, 1871, and served two years and a half. During that time ten new churches were organized and several houses of worship were built. Nearly all of the white population of Dakota were then living in scattered settlements in a few of the southern counties of the territory. Though alone at first, except Chaplain G. D. Crocker, of the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 103 reg-ular army, who was stationed at Port Sully, and Rev. P. A. Ring-, pastor of the Swedish Baptist church at Big- Spring's, other pioneer ministers soon came to serve as pastors of newly organized churches. Reference is made elsewhere to the services ren- dered by Mr. Freeman, and a fuller account is g-iven in the accompanying- historical paper, furnished by him. For some years after he ceased to be g-eneral missionary, he was pastor at Elk Point, and here he made his home from 1871 vintil he was taken to his heavenly home. During- the last nine or ten years of his life, while not serving- anywhere as pastor, he ren- dered excellent service as supply on various pastorless fields. He did not want to be idle, but desired to be useful while he lived, and this desire was g-ratified. Thoug-h always a warm and g-enerous friend of Sioux Falls University, and actively identified with it from its beg-inning-, he was able during- the last few months of his life to render specially helpful service as its financial ag-ent, in active measures for removing- its indebtedness and increasing- its endowment. He died suddenly, of heart failure, at his home in Elk Point, March 13, 1895. A life that had always been active and useful came, almost without warning-, to its honor- able ending-. His death is mourned by those who remember him during- the period of his pioneer work, and by many who knew him after he had reached a ripe old ag-e. After impressive funeral services at the Baptist church, his remains were taken for burial to Lake City, Minnesota. The following- condensed historical sketch was pre- pared by Mr. Freeman in September, 1874. This early date will explain references to preliminary missionary work on one or two fields where now there are flourish- 104 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ing- Baptist churches. In explanation of the reference to the org'anization of churches at Yankton in 1867, and at Vermillion and Elk Point in 1868, the reader is re- ferred to the historical paper furnished by Mr. Rock- wood, and published in Chapter VII. Por information concerning the services rendered in 1864 and 1865 by Rev. L. P. Judson and Rev. Albert Gore, see Chapter VI. The American Baptist Home Mission Society, in its report for 1873, has the following item: "Our first mis- sionary to Dakota was Rev. L. P. Judson, who went there in 1864." As the result of diligent inquiry one Baptist was found in Yankton who had seen and heard him. For a short time he was there engaged in secular business, and in connection therewith, preached two or three discourses. In 1867 Rev. J. E. Rockwood, missionary pastor at Sioux City, Iowa, make some visits up the Missouri river, preaching at Elk Point, Vermillion and Yankton. On February 3, 1867, he organized a Baptist church at Yankton. In connection with this movement at Yank- ton, preliminary organizations were effected at Elk Point and Vermillion. The date of the organization at Vermillion was February 16, 1868. On account of fail- ing health he resigned his charge at Sioux City (August, 1869), and these interests were left with no one to care for them. It would be unjust to Bro. Rockwood not to make honorable mention of his zeal and devotion to this work, the self-denial and sacrifices necessary in order to visit this wild country, and preach the gospel to the Lord's poor in these regions lying bevond his regular field. The Big Springs Swedish Baptist church was organ- ized in July, 1869, Rev. P. A. Ring, pastor. In November, 1870, while engaged in general mission- ary work on the Union and Central Pacific railroads, I felt moved in spirit to visit Dakota, and learn the wants REV. GEORGE ^V. FREEMAN, 1S71-1S9S. FIRST GENERAL MISSIONARY, 1S71-1S74. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 1()5 of the people. I came to Elk Point December 12, 1870, and the same week visited Vermillion and Yankton. On Tuesday evening", December 20, met at the resi- dence of M. D. Thompson and there org-anized (re- org^anized) the First Baptist church of Vermillion. At that meeting- plans were adopted and subscriptions beg-un for a house of worship. I reported to the Home Mission Society my impres- sions of the field and its pressing- needs, and was appointed g'eneral missionary for the Territory of Dakota. On the first day of March, 1871, I came to Dakota for ag-g-ressive work, beg-inning- at Elk Point. On March 11, I organized there a Baptist church. At that time the nearest Eng-lish-speaking- Baptist minis- ter was at Council Bluffs and Omaha, nearly 150 miles south. [Chaplain G. D. Crocker, of the reg-ular army, was then stationed at Port Sully. T. M. S.] On the 25th of the same month I org-anized a Baptist church at Sioux Valley, called afterward Leroy, later Port- landville, now Akron. These churches were all sup- plied by the g-eneral missionary until October following', when Rev. J. H. Young became pastor of the Elk Point and Sioux Valley churches. His ordination, which occurred at Elk Point, January 17, 1872, was the first in the territory. He soon after became pastor at Yankton, and having* proved unworthy of his trust, he was deposed from the ministry November 12, 1872. Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt became pastor at Vermillion, September 1, 1871, and served one year and a half. Rev. T. H. Judson settled as pastor at Elk Point, Octo- ber 3, 1872, and after a year of service there, was called to Vermillion. The Swedish church at Bloom- ingdale was organized by Rev. P. A. Ring-, October 15, 1871. Brother J. Peterson was soon after ordained and became its first pastor. In the spring of 1873, the house of worship at Elk Point was begun, and finished a few months later. Rev. J. P. Coffman, became pastor there January 9, 1874. The Eodi church was organized by the general missionary July 13, 1871. In the following November 106 THE BAPTlvST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Rev. J. Iv. Cappoc became pastor. The following- winter was one of unusual severity. Roads became blockaded, and the people could not attend appoint- ments for preaching-. Brother Coppoc was environed by many difficulties of so serious a character as to have driven a man of weaker faith from the field. On the first of October, 1872, he became pastor of the Sioux Valley church, and served it until February, 1874. Rev. F. Bower became pastor at Yankton, February 1, 1874, but remained only a few months. The church at Canton was org-anized March 18, 1872. In October, 1871, Rev. J. J. Mclntire came to the terri- tory and established a home on the Vermillion river, near Hurley. In connection with other points he served the church at Canton. These visits and the services rendered were attended with g-ood results. The scattered sheep of the Baptist fold were g-athered in, and the field was held for the coming- settled pastor. At first Brother Mclntire traversed a wild and sparsely settled country to reach his appointments, with no roads except the faint trails made by himself and others in g"oing to their new homes. These visits meant toil, hardship, exposure, and often peril. Rev. V. B. Conklin settled at Canton in October, 1873, and became missionary for Lincoln county. The Danish Baptists organized the Baptist church at Lodi, March 25, 1872. This soon increased to over forty members, many of the members living- nearly twenty miles dis- tant. This led the following year to a friendly divis- ion, and resulted in the org-anization, December 31, 1873, of the Danish church at Daneville. In the fall of 1871 the g-eneral missionary visited and held services in Dell Rapids. Helpful and encouraging- visits were made by Prof. A. Bush of Osag-e, Iowa, who, on the 21st of July, 1872, organized a Baptist church, which was recognized by the g-eneral mission- ary on the 28th of the same month. On the first of June, 1872, Rev. William Hill became the first pastor of the church. This was then the most northern church or mission in Dakota, except the Indian mission* THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 107 at Plandreau, conducted by the Presbyterian board. The Swan Lake church, now Hurley, was organized December 9, 1872, as the result of revival meetings conducted by Rev. J. J. Mclntire. He was called as its pastor on the day of its organization. The Baptist church of Pinlay, now Parker, was organized by the general missionary and Brother Mclntire, December 25, 1872. The services were held on the evening of Christmas day, at the residence of Rev. J. J. Mclntire. This organization occupies an important field. The Gayville church was organized June 7, 1873, with nine members. This field was early occupied by Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt, through whom the organization was effected, assisted by Rev. J. J. Mcln- tire. Initial steps were taken to erect a chapel at this place. (No chapel was built, and for several years the church has been extinct). Sioux Palls has been visited from time to time and services held by the general mis- sionary. Prequent conferences have been held with the few Baptists in that place with reference to an organization. On the 29th of June, 1873, a service was held there. This was followed by a canvass of the community. Ten Baptists were found, willing to enter into an organization, but as others hesitated, no church was organized at that time. The Southern Dakota Baptist Association was organ- ized at Vermillion, with nine churches and seven min- isters, including the general missionary, and 157 mem- bers. The date of its organization was June 5, 1872, on the day following- the dedication of the new house of worship erected by the Vermillion church. The officers elected were the following: Rev. G. W. Pree- man, moderator; Martin J. Lewis, clerk; Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt, corresponding secretary; and Deacon M. D. Weston, treasurer. This gathering- was fully attended, and was characterized by a unity of purpose to go forth and occupy this fair country for Christ. The first Baptist house of worship dedicated in Da- kota was the one at Vermillion, June 4, 1872. At the 108 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. laying- of the corner-stone of the present house of wor- ship October 8, 1889, a brief historical sketch, having- special reference to the first building-, was read by Rev. G. W. Freeman. Prom that paper the following- ex- tracts are taken: "At a meeting- of the church held December 20, 1870, plans for building- a chapel were examined and dis- cussed. It resulted in the adoption of a resolution to build, at an early day, after the model of the house which has been in use for more than seventeen years. During- the winter material for building- was secured. On a careful survey of the townsite it was decided that the most central location, and easiest of access to the people both in the villag-e and the country was at the mouth of the larg-e ravine, throug-h which passed nearly all who traveled to and from the table lands. At that time only a few people were living- on the bluffs. Captain Nelson Miner offered the Baptist church a deed of three full lots on the wx^st side of the street at the mouth of the ravine. This g-jft was g-ratefully ac- cepted. For ten years it seemed to all, and was in fact, the most central location for a church, up to the dis- astrous flood in March, 1881. A young- Baptist brother, of limited means, named A. T. Force, subscfribed one hundred dollars towards the erection of the building-. Being- by trade a carpenter, he was chosen to take charg-e of the work, which was beg-un May 1, 1871, and completed in the spring- of 1882. It was dedicated free from debt, on the evening- of June 4, 1872, Rev. T. H. Young-, preaching- the dedication sermon. The actual cost of the building- was $2,200. If donations of lalfor and materials were included the total valuation could not be less than $2,500. About four years later a lec- ture room was added, costing- about $400. "Soon after the dedication Mr. Chas. H. True, editor and proprietor of the Vermillion Republican, led in an undertaking- to secure a suitable bell for the church building-. The effort was successful. This was the first Protestant church bell in the Territory of Dakota. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 109 In the darkness of that sad nig-ht in March, 1881, when the flood waters of the American Amazon poured throug-h the streets of Vermillion, that bell rang- out the warning of dang-er, and awakened the sleeping- citi- zens so that they could flee for safety to the bluffs. If it had not been for the warning- tones of that church bell, by which the people were aroused to know their dang-er, many of them would undoubtedly have perished in the flood which carried away one hundred and eig-hteen building-s. The Baptist church building- was saved. The location of Vermillion was at once chang-ed from the low lands to the bluffs overlooking- its former site. The church building- which had for years been centrally located, was now out of the way, and not easily accessible to the people. An unsuccessful effort was made to sell the property. It was then decided to move it up the long- ravine to the bluffs on which Ver- million was rapidly being- rebuilt. The lecture room was first taken away and moved to its present location as a part of the present parsonag'e. The church build- ing- was then removed in September, 1881, to its pres- ent site, g-reatly to the joy and satisfaction of the church. For more than three years there had been no pastor to lead and feed the flock. Since the removal of the building* and the improvements and additions made, there has been almost continual pastoral work on this field, and a good measure of prosperity as its fruitag-e." CHAPTER X. RET. E. H. HtlRLBUTT. The first general missionary Rev. G. W. Freeman, was six months on his field before the first English speaking pastor was secured, Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt. He came from Jefferson City, Mo., and settled as pastor of the church at Vermillion, September 1, 1871. He was an active force among the pioneer workers in Dakota Territory. He served as pastor of several churches, some of which he organized. His daughter became the wife of Mr. D. P. Ward, who was for several years State Sunday school Missionary for South Dakota. After seventeen years of pioneer service and hardship, on account of failing health, Mr. Hurlbutt removed, in 1888, to Oilville, Virginia. He has fur- nished the following statement of his Dakota experi- ences and labors. It is very brief on account of a disabled hand, which makes writing painful and diffi- cult. During a successful pastorate at Jefferson City, Mo., I was invited by Rev. G. W. Freeman, general mission- ary, to come to Dakota Territory. I came, and accepted the call of the church at Vermillion, September 1, 1871. I was the first American Baptist pastor settled in the Territory. A Swedish pastor, Rev. P. A. Ring, was already settled at Big Springs. This pastorate at Ver- million lasted a year and a half. It would have con- tinued longer but for outside interference. While serving the church there their house of worship was completed, and dedicated free from debt, June 4, 1872. REV. E. H. HURLBUTT, 1S71-1S88. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Ill On the following' day the first Baptist association was organized at Vermillion. During- 1873-4 I supplied some out-stations, including one near Gayville, w^hich culminated in the organization of a Baptist church there, June 7, 1873. The prospects for this church were at first very encouraging. A lot was donoted, and most of the lumber was secured for building a house or worship, when the mill and lumber interests just above were moved elsewhere. With that removal followed the scattering of nearly all the active elements in the church. The church clerk, with his family, returned to Iowa. Only one Baptist family was left. Deacon Langdale and his wife. The Gayville Baptist church thus passed out of existence. One had been baptized there, and others were expecting to unite with the organization. From this time forward services were transferred to the new railroad station at Meek- ling, and several of our people there later became members of the church at Vermillion. I baptized one at L/odi. During 1874-5, other stations were occupied. Mean- while I had been induced to file upon a homestead in Lincoln county. In the spring of 1876 I was called there to attend a funeral. This was on Saturday. Being' informed that the recent high waters had carried away many of the bridges, and that it would be impos- sible for me to reach my appointment at Meckling, on the following day, I yielded to their earnest entreaty to remain and preach on Sunday. This appointment was continued through the summer every four weeks, and through the winter, with rapidly increasing interest, until special meetings became necessary. Later in the winter souls were coming into the kingdom, until in the spring of 1877, we felt warranted in organizing a church, which later became known as the Centerville Baptist church. The town of Centerville was not then in existence. The services were held, part of the time, in a small school house, but generally in the home of Deacon B. P. Putnam. The family cheerfully arranged the house to accommodate these gatherings, which were then held once in two weeks. 112 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. During- this same winter, 1877, I had been prevailed upon to fill appointments every two weeks in Deacon Kinsley's neig-hborhood, west of Canton, during* Rev. , V. B. Conklin's absence in the east. This was the east branch of the Lincoln church. A deep relig-ious inter- est was soon developed. I was responsible for the work there and at Deacon Putnam's neig'hborhood, nearly twenty miles away, and at the same time I was teaching- school. On Brother Conklin's return several converts were baptized by him. I baptized two, one of them being- my own daug-hter. Soon after the organi- zation of the church at Deacon Putnam's, now Center- ville, I was invited to divide my time as pastor equally between the Centerville church and the Baptist church of Sunnyside. This latter church some years after became extinct. Some who had once been enrolled among- its members entered a new org-anization at Beresford in 1890. Baptisms during- that pastorate numbered twenty or more. I resig-ned as pastor at Sunnyside in November, 1881, and at Centerville in July, 1882. During- this period I spent the winter of 1879-80 in the east, eng-ag-ed in evang-elistic work, and visiting-' m}^ mother,, and the scenes of my childhood days. This was the first real vacation I had had since entering- the ministry in 1864. After my return I was called to the pastorate of the church in Akron, which continued throug-h 1882 and 1883. While pastor there a parsonag-e was built. I did a larg-e proportion of the work on it myself. Ag-ain I was absent from Dakota in the spring- of 1884, serving- for three months as supply for the Baptist church in Judsonia, Arkansas. Thenceforward my labors were increasingly interfered with by the growing serious effects of an accident which came near costing me my life, having been thrown from a loaded wagon. One wheel passed over my breast and left lung, and I was picked up as one supposed to be dead. As the years passed by, on the approach of cold weather, my side troubled me more and more each winter. In the spring of 1880 we turned southward to seek a milder climate, and since then my health has gradually improved. REV. J. J. McINTIRE, 1871-1899. TERRITORIAL SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, 1S75-6, PRESIDENT SOUTH DAKOTA BAPTIST CONVENTION, 1S95. CHAPTER XI. ICEV. J. J. McINTIRE. The oldest surviving- pioneer missionary who yet remains in South Dakota, is Rev. J. J. Mclntire. After "•raduating* at Rochester University and Rochester Theological Seminary he came to Wisconsin. Several years were spent there as pastor and teacher. In Oc- tober, 1871, he came to Dakota and eng-ag-ed actively in missionary work. In the early days of the territory he was Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion, and afterwards served several years as a teacher. Most of the time, however, has been devoted to the active work of the ministry. He is the oldest pastor in the state. He has been prevailed upon to record some of the many trying- and interesting- experiences of pioneer missionary life. The following- historical paper furnishes a valuable and interesting- chapter in the early Baptist history of South Dakota. THE PIONEER BAPTISTS OF DAKOTA. I have consented, after urgent solicitation, to give a brief sketch of the early history of the Baptists of Dakota. This paper will include references to some of the personal labors and experiences of the pioneers who led the way in planting churches, and laying the foundations of our denominational work. On the 17th of October, 1871, we reached our location on the Vermillion river, ten miles from the nearest settler. Our first Sunday was spent in Vermillion, 114 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. where we found the Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt. He had pre- ceded us by eig-hteen days, and had just become pastor at Vermillion. Rev. G. W. Freeman had visited that place in December, 1870, and on the 20th day of that month, he revived the organization of the Vermillion Baptist church, which was beg-un by Rev. J. E. Rock- wood, February 16, 1868. Of churches now existing- that stands recorded as the first American Baptist church org-anized in the Territory of Dakota. Two months later, on the first of March, 1871, Rev. G. W. Free- man came to Elk Point, and became g-eneral missionary for what was then the Territory of Dakota. These two brethren. Freeman and Hurlbutt, were at that time the only English speaking Baptist ministers in the terri- tory, with the exception of Rev. G. D. Crocker, chap- lain in the regular army, who was then stationed at Fort Sully. We learned that Baptist churches had been organized at Yankton, February 3, 1867, and at Vermillion, Feb- ruary 16, 1868, and in April, 1868, a preliminary organ- ization at Elk Point, by Rev. J. E. Rockwood, missionary pastor at Sioux City. Mr. Rockwood is still living at Peru, Nebraska. His name should go down to history as that of the first Baptist minister who did successful religious work here in the planting of churches. The faithful labors of this self-sacrificing man of God should not be overlooked in the truthful history of our denomination here, in the days of its infancy. We doubt not that the book in which the recording angel writes, contains a record of trials and sufferings expe- rienced by this brother, as he pushed his way from settlement to settlement, in search of the scattered ones whom he desired to gather up, and to whom he gave the bread of life ; but the story of his difficulties and hardships in fording streams, wading through deep snows and breasting severe storms, can never be told on earth except by himself. His visits to the new set- tlements along the Missouri river began in March, 1866, and ended in August, 1869. In July, 1869, Rev. P. A. Ring, a Baptist minister from Sweden, THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 115 org*anized a Swedish Baptist church at Bi(>- Spring-s, in Union county. This church has been g^reatly blessed as a source of spiritual power, and a center of relig-ious influence, among* the numerous Swedes and other nationalities in that thickly settled reg-ion. In the summer of 1872, by the aid of Prof. Alva Bush and Rev. H. J. Parker of Iowa, the church at Dell Rapids was organized. Rev. Wm. T. Hill became its first pastor June 7, 1872. On March 18, 1872, Rev. G. W. Freeman opened preaching- stations in Lincoln county, and org-anized the scattered Baptists into a church, with headquarters at Canton. Most of the- preaching- was done in private houses throughout the county. At that time there were no school houses except in the small towns along the river. There were no railways, and no means of travel except by private conveyance. There had been no advantage gained to relieve the tediousness and suf- fering of long- rides across the prairies, since the time when Rev. J. E. Rockwood left Dakota. What we have said of the trials and sacrifices of that brother, must therefore be equally true of Rev. G. W. Freeman. But his faith in God, and his love for pioneer work, urged him on, and he lived to see the wonderful success of the cause, in the introduction of which he acted so con- spicuous a part. In June, 1872, the writer, under the advice of the general missionary, received from the American Home Mission Society, a commission to labor in Turner, Clay and Lincoln counties. His preaching stations were at Canton, Lodi, Finlay, Swan Lake, and two outstations, one west of Canton, and the other northwest of Lodi. Starting from Finlay, in Turner county, his field re- quired a ride of from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty miles each week. At times, when the streams were swollen after heavy rains, or the roads drifted on account of snow, it was necessary to go a long- way around in order to reach these stations. This caused much more travel some weeks than others, yet not more than one appointment was missed d-iring two years of 116 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. labor. We will relate two or three incidents which will show something" of the difficulties, and sometimes dan- g-ers, to which those who were determined to be prompt and faithful were exposed. On one occasion, in the summer of 1872, the writer was at Heckling-, five miles west of Vermillion, late on Saturday afternoon, on his way to fill an appointment at Swan Lake, near Hurley. He must travel thirty- five miles to the north before 11 o'clock the following- day. It was at that season of the year when the melted snows on the Rocky Mountains were pouring down the Missouri river, and overflowing- its banks. The river bottom, or valley, was covered, most of the way, with water from one to four feet deep. It was three miles from the hotel where the missionary stopped to feed his horse and rest, to the table land. On the north side of the river, near this table land, is Clay Creek. This stream, which was then from five to ten feet deep, must be crossed in g'oing- to Sw^an Lake. The mission- ary was hitching- up his horse when the hotel proprie- tor, not knowing- the name or business of his g-uest, said: "My friend, you cannot cross the creek tonig-ht. For three miles you will have to wade in water two to three feet deep. It will be dark before you can g-et to the creek, and its waters are so deep that you will be drowned if you attempt to cross." "But I must g-o," was the reply, "for the people who live several miles away will be at the meeting- tomorrow, and I must not disappoint them." "A preacher, hey? Well, that won't save you from being- drowned. If you are short of money, as most preachers are, you are wel- come to the best that we can g-ive you, if you won't attempt to cross that creek tonight." Just as the missionary^was ready to start two men drove up who had crossed the stream. They assured him that what the hotel keeper had said was true, and stated that they and their horses had to swim across the creek after drawing their wagon over by means of ropes. This statement led him to accept the invitation to remain at the hotel until morning. As soon as day- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 117 light appeared, he arose and started. After driving" in water axle deep for nearly two hours he reached the creek. Finding- near its banks a knoll which was out of water, he drove his carriag^e upon it, and divesting" himself of all of his clothing-, he plung-ed into the stream to ascertain its depth. He found one place that he could ford by holding- his head back and walk- ing- on tiptoe. He returned, and holding- his clothing- at arm's lengfth above his head, took it across. Then, in like manner, he took over his robe, cushions, horse feed, etc., until he had made five trips across the stream. Then he led his horse, which being- of the pony order, had to swim and draw the submerg-ed bug-g-y with him. In a little while the man whose motto was, "Never disappoint a cong-reg-ation," was on his way. Just as the people had g-athered in the first school house ever built in Turner county, he entered the house, strong in faith, and thoug-h weary and hung-ry, experienced, with the congreg-ation, the fulfillment of the promise: "Blessed are they that do hung-er and thirst after rig-hteousness, for they shall be filled." At another time, in March, 1873, the melted snow filled the small streams and valleys, and rendered it both difficult and dang-erous to cross the prairies. The missionary, who had an appointment at Canton, twenty- five miles southeast of where he lived, was oblig-ed to g-o south forty miles to Blooming-dale, where there was a bridg-e across the river. This broug-ht him below where Saddle Creek and other streams, which were not then fordable, empty into the river. Then he must g-o forty miles northeast in order to g-et to Canton. Sun- day was a fair day, and there were good cong-reg-ations, several of the people coming- a long- distance, but best of all Jesus was there. All thanked God and took courage. On Monday, as the waters had settled somewhat, the missionary thoug-ht that possibly he could return to his home by g'oing- across the prairies. On reaching- Sad- dle Creek, he found that it contained a solid bed of unmelted snow, at least three feet deep, which had been 118 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. blown into the bed of the stream by the fierce winter winds. Over this snow was flowing- from three to four feet of water, making" the depth of both snow and water from six to seven feet. Finding* what he supposed was a comparatively shallow place he rode in, but the depth was much g-reater than he expected. When about half way across his horse was unable to g-o further. To turn around was impossible. In horror he dismounted, and settling in the snow above his knees, and in the water to his shoulders, thoug-h in dang-er of being- trampled under by the strug-gling- horse, he succeeded in removing- the saddle, bridle and blanket, and g-etting* them safely across the stream. He then returned to the discourag-ed horse, and held his head out of the water until sufficiently rested to make a powerful effort, which was successful. Twelve miles must yet be trav- eled to reach the nearest house, which was home. Wet to the shoulders, and with boots filled with ice cold water, ag-ainst a bleak March wind, the missionary rode over the trackless prairie. When he reached home he called for help, and was assisted from his horse into the house in an almost helpless condition. At another time, during- the sanie year, in the month of October, on his way to an appointment, after wander- ing many miles in the darkness, he had to lie all night on the prairie. He did not have even an overcoat for a covering, but he had his buggy cushion for a pillow. The next morning he found himself fifteen miles from any settlement. About ten o'clock he reached the place of his appointment, in time to relieve his hunger before the services began. On another occasion, on a foggy day, he described two entire circles of about fourteen miles each, as nearly as he could judge from the time occupied in driving. The relation of these events may seem strangle to those who have had no such experience, but at the time of which we write, in this then new country, there were no roads to follow, no bridges over streams and rivers, and only a few houses, and they were mainly sod shan- ties, to serve as waymarks. Even at midday one was THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 119 liable to lose his way if the sun was concealed by clouds. How different now! Surely we may exclaim: "What hath God wroug-ht as the result of the prayers and tears and labors of his people here!" Let us return and trace our Baptist cause in its infancy a little further. In the fall of 1872 the labors of the writer, who was missionary at Swan Lake and Pinlay, were greatly blessed, and the g-eneral mission- ary was invited to assist in a series of meeting's. As a result a church was org-anized by Brother Freeman and the writer on the 24th day of December. On the following- day (Christmas) the Pinlay church was organ- ized by the same persons in the home of J. J. Mcln- tire. Soon after several were added to the church by baptism. A few years later the Swan Lake church was removed to Hurley, and is now^ known as the First Baptist church of Hurley. The Finlay church was removed to Parker, and is now known as the First Bap- tist church of Parker. This has become one of the strongest and best churches in the state. In the autumn of 1872 Rev. T. H. Judson settled at Elk Point, and rendered valuable assistance to the gen- eral missionary in his w^ork in Union and Clay coun- ties. He afterwards removed to Turner county, and preached at Swan Lake, Pinlay, and other places. He traveled extensively as missionary along the Vermillion river, as far north as Mbntrose and other points, and did excellent work in the Master's vineyard until 1884, when he was called to his reward. In January, 1874, Rev. J. P. Coffman came to Dakota to identify himself with our cause. He also settled first at Elk Point. He did faithful service during that most distressing period, the "grasshopper raid." He, too, after a few years, settled in Turner county, preaching here and there, wherever he found an open door. From the time he joined us, for many years he was in the front rank of our standard bearers, battling for the cause of God and truth. The hearts of the few leaders who were here were made glad when this zealous brother came to help us. 120 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. In the fall of 1873 Rev. V. B. Conklin, another tried and reliable spiritual helper, came to aid us. He set- tled in Lincoln county, with headquarters first at Can- ton, and afterwards at Lincoln Center. The writer having been chosen as superintendent of public instruction for the Territory of Dakota, Brother Conk- lin was for a time left alone in carrying- forward the work in that county. He, like all the others who have been mentioned, came to join the pioneer band under the supervision of our general missionary. With them he sacrificed and toiled, and with some of them he still lives, to rejoice over the success which has been achieved by those who have worked all along- the line from that time down to the present. In 1874 Rev. A. W. Hilton entered the Dakota field. He at once beg-an work with a zeal that proved his devotion to the cause, and endeared him to those in whose labors he came to share. He did much missionary work in Turner and Minnehaha counties, and in southern Minnesota. After about eig-ht years of excellent service he was released from earthly toil. During the years 1876 and 1877 comparatively few new missionaries came, and but little was accomplished. Immig-ration had been checked by g-rasshoppers. In 1879 and 1880 many homeseekers came to the territory, and with them were several Baptist ministers. New churches were org-anized. From that time to the pres- ent our cause has been prospering-. Today we have great reason for lifting our hearts to God in thanksgiv- ing for what He has enabled us to accomplish. On the 5th of June, 1872, the first association of Bap- tists in the territory was held at Vermillion, in the only Baptist house of worship in Dakota. It was com- posed of delegates from nine churches. The earnest- ness and faith there manifested gave promise of the future. The hopes and expectations of that day, some of the brethren have lived to see realized. The prayers that were offered for the spread of the truth have in large measure been answered. The weak, by the help of God and faithful workmen, have been made strong. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 121 "The little one has become a thousand." Behold the contrast ! Then there were nine churches with about 130 members. Now (1896) there are 103 churches in South Dakota alone, with a membership of nearly 6,000. Our work, however, is not completed. May God help us to labor on until still larger results are accom- plished. CHAPTER XII. RET. \TILLIAM T. HIL.I.. Soon after the beginning- of Baptist missionary work in Dakota, along* the valley of the Missouri, other workers came to the field, and began their labors among- the new settlements further north, along- the Sioux, Vermillion and James rivers. Rev. William T. Hill was at first, and for a long- time, the only Baptist missionary in Minnehaha county. He became the first pastor of the church in Dell Rapids, and served as such for five years. In a ripe old ag-e he is still living- on the home that he established in 1873. He has fur- nished the following- sketch of his labors and experi- ences: The First Baptist church of Dell Rapids was org-an- ized July 21, 1872, by Professor Alvah Bush, of Cedar Valley Seminary, Osage, Iowa. There were seventeen constituent members. A majority of these had been members of the Baptist church in Osag-e. The new church was recog-nized as a reg-ular Baptist church September 1, 1872, by Rev. G. W. Freeman, then g-en- eral missionary. The first pastor was Rev. William T. Hill, who came from Waterloo, Wis. He arrived at Dell Rapids June 7, 1873, in a lumber wag-on, after a journey of nearly 500 miles. The season was a very wet one, and he was more than five weeks on the way. No sooner had he arrived than he had to g-o back, over rivers and sloug-hs, to Worthington, Minn., the nearest railroad station, sixty miles distant, to procure provis- KEV. WILLIAM T. HILL, 1S72- 1899. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 123 ions for himself and wife, feed for his team, and lum- ber for a shelter. Many times he made this -journey while his wife stayed on the prairie, her only compan- ion and g-uardian being- a faithful New Poundland dog-. The early settlers were a church g'oing- people. There was only one cong-reg-ation and one Sunday school in the town. The people for the time being- for- g-ot their differences, and worshiped and worked har- moniously tog-ether. The meetings were held in various private houses. In a small room would be g*athered from forty to sixtv people of all ages. In order to make room for the congregation, the beds and other furniture would be put out of doors, boards resting on boxes would be the seats, and a sewing machine served as a pulpit. There was great rejoicing when a school house was built in 1876. The pioneer preacher often had three appointments on the same day, some of them twenty miles apart. He preached in three counties, and organized Sunday schools wherever practicable. Sometimes the meetings were held in sod houses, and when the house was crowded the preacher had to stand in or outside of the doorway. During the grasshopper visitation, while scarcely knowing how he was g'oing to live through the winter, he had to inspire the people with hope and courage. His labor was largely a labor of love. The early settlers had all that they could do to sup- port their own families. Some years they could not pay the minister anything. He had hard work to make a respectable appearance among them. At one time he froze his feet attending a funeral, standing' in the snow, having a hole in his boot and no overshoes. Sometimes he was given a donation in money, provisions or labor, but his total receipts from the field for a year never amounted to one hundred dollars. The church treas- urer's report for one year in the seventies was brief and suggestive. "No money received, and none paid out." No auditing committee was appointed. The minister was called upon to preach a funeral sermon," twenty miles away, near Lake Madison. He started 124 THE BAPTIST HISTORY Of^ SOUTH DAKOTA. before daylig-ht and did not reach home until after dark, and had nothing- to eat after leaving- home until his return. On another occasion the minister and his wife were invited to a wedding-. After the ceremony the happy brideg-room took the minister aside and told him confidentially that he would have to wait for his fee until after harvest. In July, 1873, the Dell Rapids pastor had an appoint- ment to preach at Sioux Falls. He had a larg-e and attentive audience in Allen's hall. By request he left an appointment to preach in two weeks from that date, in the same hall. When the time came he was there, but found no cong'reg-ation. The hall was not opened and lig-hted for the meeting*. The g-ood brother who had made the necessary preparations for the previous meeting-, had gone to a distant city to buy lumber, and the brother to whom he had left the work of advertising- the meeting and lig-hting- up the hall, had done nothing* because '*he had a stitch in his back." When the min- ister reached home on Monday nig-ht, after his fruitless drive of forty miles in a lumber wagon, he too had a stitch in his back. Such was the outcome of what might have been an earlier start of the Baptist cause in Sioux Falls. Influential Baptists, living at Madison, attended the association at Dell Rapids. In compliance with their urgent request, he preached the following Sabbath at Madison, and a month later, October 26, 1878, he met with the Baptist brethren and sisters there, and organ- ized them into a regular Baptist church. All present presented their letters, the usual articles of faith were adopted, and officers were chosen. On the following- day a sermon was preached, the hand of fellowship was given, and the ordinance of the Lord's supper was ob- served. Everything- was done "decently and in order," but to please one brother who was not present at the organization of the church, though cordially invited, all was gone over again a year or so later. On a bitter cold and windy day, the minister had an appointment twelve miles west, to perform a marriage ceremony. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 125 He had no covered carriag-e, no top bug-g-y, but now- owned a lig-ht spring- wag-on, whick he proceeded to con- vert into a covered vehicle, by using- a larg-e dry g-oods box, with the open end towards the horses. Inside of this box he could sit and be well protected on all sides except in front. This was used many times in g'oing- to his appointments. Some of the unsanctiiied sug-g-ested that he was g-etting- aristocratic, and putting- on too much style. In the g-reat October storm of 1880, the preacher and his wife had to g-et into bed to keep from freezing-. During- the storm the stovepipe was crushed in and bent over, and the roof was a mass of ice, thus rendering- it impossible to lig-ht a fire or make repairs. In 1880, the Baptists at Dell Rapids built a neat and cozy chapel. The first service was held in it July 18, 1880. The pastor preached, and believing- the g-ospel of Christ to be the only hope of the world, and wishing- to g-ive a keynote for future meetings in that house, he took for his text, "This is a faithful saying- and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." A Baptist Sunday school was org-an- ized August 1, 1880, with sixty scholars enrolled. Peter Morse was the first superintendent. Preceding the organization a sermon appropriate to the occasion was preached from the text: "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners." Prom this time the Baptists sustained their own weekly meetings and Bible school. Their old pastor continued to preach for them until the close of 1880, though Rev. Walter Ross served as supply early in 1879, and Rev. J. P. Merriam for one year from May, 1879, supplied the church every alternate Sunday, in connection with the church at Luverne, Minn. The pioneer pastor declined to preach any longer in Dell Rapids, being convinced that the work of the pio- neer was ended, and that a settled pastor was now needed, who could devote all his time and energy to the work, and rightfully demand an adequate support from the church. He continued, however, in the service, and filled regular appointments at Trent, Roscoe (now 126 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. • Eg-an), Plandreau, Lookout, and other points. Early in 1881 Rev. J. Edminster was called as pastor, but being- necessarily absent from his family, who were liv- ing- near Parker, after six months of faithful service he resig-ned. In February, 1882, Rev. S. G. Adams was called to the pastorate, in which he served with g-reat success for five years. It was larg-ely throug-h his earnest efforts that the present larg-e and comfortable house of worship was built. The pastors succeeding- Mr. Adams have been I. S. Kneeland, J. P. Coffman, H. E. Norton, D. L. Parker, and E. F. Rice. CHAPTER XIII. REV. V. B. CONKL.IN. The coming- of Rev. V. B. Conklin to Dakota followed very soon after the arrival of William T. Hill. Both entered on their new fields in 1873. While actively identified with all the pioneer missionary movements of those early days, the particular field of Mr. Conk- lin 's labors was Lincoln county. After many years of self-sacrificing service, he has been liVing-, since 1891, at Lake City, Minn. In the following- sketch he has g-iven an outline of services rendered, and some of the hardships endured: It is with some embarrassment that I undertake to prepare a statement concerning- my early labors in Dakota, and my relation to other laborers on the field, since my diary concerning- the labors and events of those years is lost. At the earnest request of Rev. G. W. Freeman, then general missionary for Dakota Ter- ritory, I visited the field in the summer of 1873. He went with me to Canton, and there was presented to my vision the opening opportunity for service. Canton was the center of operations. Baptist and Congregational churches were already established there. Rev. J. J. Mclntire was then pastor of the Bap- tist church, serving one-half of the time there and the balance elsewhere. From the large congregations and general interest manifested, it was evident that his relation to that field was one that betokened success. As his home was thirty miles distant, and constant travel across the prairies subjected him to much 128 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. exposure in cold and stormy weather, he gladly with- drew from the field at Canton, in order to be able to serve in other opening-fields nearer home. Arrang-ements being- made for my settlement at Can- ton, I came to that place with my family in October, 1873. For thirteen years, at Canton and elsewhere in Lincoln county, I served by appointment of the Ameri- can Baptist Home Mission Society, and under the superintendence of Rev. G. W. Freeman and Rev. Edward E^llis, g-eneral missionaries, and Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., district secretary. I desire to bear tes- timony to their brotherly kindness and patient forbear- ance. On my introduction to this field I found that a diversity of work was needed. The appropriations for missionary aid were necessarily very small. The early settlers had come empty handed, or with very limited means, to avail themselves of the opportunity to secure g-overnment land for their future homes. The question of ministerial support was therefore a serious one. With the knowledg-e and approval of the Board of the Home Mission Society, the missionaries were g-ranted unusual liberty in helping' to supply our needs by eng-aging-, part of the time, in other avocations beside our special work. I taug-ht the public school in Canton during- the first winter after our arrival there. This arrang-ement proved helpful rather than detrimental. It led to my election as county superintendent of schools for Lincoln county. This, without absorbing- much of my time, aided in the extension of my acquaintance and influence among- the people, and opened many opportunities for missionary work. Like most of my brethren during- that period, sus- taining- similar relation to the Board of the Home Mis- sion Society, I availed myself of the opportunity to secure a homestead. This was located at Lincoln Cen- ter. There we planted a mission station. The first service held there was in a private house of three rooms. Eig-hty people were there, many of them coming- long- distances. The interest manifested was inspiring-, and as we lifted up our eyes and looked on the fields, we i| REV. V. B. CONKLIN, 1872- 1891. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 129 saw that they were already ripe for the harvest. It was not long* before we were gathering in the sheaves. This was in the summer of 1874. Prom that time onward regular appointments were maintained there, and later a church was org-anized. The following- winter, on a cold and very stormy day, Dr. Webb was there. He ex- pressed some doubts as to a meeting-. But the people came throug-h the storm, and we had a successful meeting-. Being- filled with the Spirit, he preached with much power. On making his customary appeal for a contribution for home missions, the subscriptions from those poor home-steaders amounted to sixty dollars, and all of them were promptly paid. At this time immigration had become so rapid that every quarter-section of land in Lincoln and adjoining townships had been taken. Business activity was everywhere manifest. While all were building homes and improving their land, school houses became a recog- nized necessity. One was built at Lincoln Center, and others in different directions. All of these were used as preaching stations during my ministry in Lin- coln county. In the early '80's I labored for a time at Lennox, where I found some German Baptists. As it was necessary for each one taking a homestead to live for a time on his claim, the number of members in the church at Canton was greatly reduced, and after a time it became practically extinct. As many of them lived in homesteads west of Canton, is gradually came to be known as the Lincoln Church, where services were regularly maintained. Early in the '80's, services were resumed at Canton. I removed there with my family, and the church was reorganized March, 15, 1885. Ser- vices were held in the court house and school house until 1887. During that year when Rev. E. M.Heyburn, my successor, was pastor, the present house of worship was built. It was dedicated December 7, 1887. I re- mained there about three years, preaching most of the time at out-stations, so that my full term of services rendered in Lincoln county covered about seventeen years, thirteen years of this period as a missionary pastor. 130 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. These years of service in Dakota included many try- ing experiences, such as were common to all those who labored on other fields. Among- the things most de- structive were grasshoppers and prairie fires. Having no experience the early settlers did not know how to guard against them, as they learned to do in later years. Frequently the bright prospect of an abundant crop would be swept away by fire or destroyed by a grass- hopper raid. During the years that the latter plague was so common and so destructive, the services of mis- sionary pastors were required to visit and encourage the destitute, and distribute supplies sent from the east. It was my lot to serve as chairman of a distrib- uting committee, and much was done to relieve the suffering. We did what we could to aid in material things, at the same time seeking to leave with the peo- ple a portion of the "hidden manna." During the memorable winter of 1880, diptheria became epidemic, public funerals were prohibited, and the missionary had to minister privately to the sorrow of the bereaved, and often accompany them to the grave in the solitude of the midnight hour. I desire to bear tribute to the faithful brethren and sisters, some of whom have gone before and others yet remain, who with us bore the heat and burden of pioneer service, in endeavoring to plant the standard of the cross on the prairies of Dakota. I remember with gratitude the workers on other fields. While I was for about fourteen years the only Baptist minister living in L/incoln county, yet other laborers to some extent shared the burden with me. One of these was Rev. J. P. Coffman, who frequently came to my assistance in revival meetings, and for a time supplied two sta- tions in the county. During one winter Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt taught school at another station, and preached regularly to the people. Rev. J. J. Mclntire was also a faithful helper in times of need. All of us endeav- ored to scatter the seed of the gospel, and we rejoice in the late harvests that have brought joy and gladness to many hearts. CHAPTER XIV. RET. J. P. COFFMAIV. Of the early pioneer missionaries, the two who remained longest on the field, and are therefore best known to the present generation of Baptists, are Rev. J. J. Mclntire, who came in October, 1871, and Rev. J. P. Coffman, who settled at Elk Point in January, 1874. In the following" historical sketch, furnished by Mr. Coffman, the principal events in many years of active service are recorded, up to his settlement in Akron in February, 1886. After a successful pastorate of three years there, he became pastor at Dell Rapids, January i, 1889. While at Dell Rapids, a large and trouble- some debt on the church property was paid. In 1891 he removed to Sioux Palls, and served as supply for neighboring churches, while his children were in attendance at Sioux Palls University. In 1894 he became pastor at Cherokee, la. He is now settled at Perry, la. In October, 1873, I received a call to become* pastor of the Baptist church at Elk Point. The call was accepted, and I reached Elk Point with my .family Jan- uary 7, 1874. The house of worship there had just been completed, but it was without furniture. There was no pulpit, organ or carpet. The temporary seats were made of Cottonwood boards, some of them arranged with backs, so that the building seemed quite comfortable. There were about thirty members, some of them non-residents. 132 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Here we beg-an our work in Dakota Territory. The railroad from Sioux City to Yankton was the only one in all of what is now South Dakota, and the fare was six cents a mile. The Northern Pacific railroad was in operation from Parg-o to Bismarck. On this g-reat field, at that time, churches were few and far apart, and pastors were very few indeed. Rev. J. J. Mclntire was at Pinlay, near where Parker now is; Rev. T. H. Judson was at Vermillion; Rev. E. H. Hurlbutt was at Gayville; Rev. Wm. T. Hill was at Dell Rapids; Rev. V. B. Conklin was at Canton; Rev. G. W. Freeman's home was at Elk Point; Rev. P. A. Rin^ was pastor of the Swedish church at Big- Spring's. There were also three or four Scandinavian ministers whom I did not know. These composed the Baptist ministry of Dakota Territory when I beg-an my work as pastor at Elk Point, in January, 1874. Noble men of God; how, in the midst of trying- circumstances, did most of them stand true to the cause ! Soon after coming to Elk Point, special meeting-s were held. As a whole, the spiritual life of the church was at a low ebb, but there were some as g-ood mem- bers as are to be found anywhere. Sickness in our family hindered the meetings, but the church was helped. On March 30, of this year, I was called to attend a funeral in the Roman Catholic settlement at Jefferson, southeast of Elk Point. A long- delay, after I had supposed all were ready to start to the burial g-round, was caused by the company taking- "refresh- ments." These consisted of a full supply of whiskey and beer. On reaching- home I found Rev. T. H. Jud- son and Brother Ufford waiting- for me to g-o with them to Vermillion to assist in special meeting-s. I preached there throug-h the week in the church build- ing- that then stood down at the mouth of the ravine. I well remember the interest felt by Brother Martin J. Lewis and the pastor for the conversion of Mr. M. D. Thompson. That evening-, when an expression was taken, six stood up, and of this number he was the leader. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 133 The third annual meeting- of the Southern Dakota Association was held at Elk Point, beginning- June 10, 1874. Very heavy rains had been falling-, and these continued up to the opening- of the meeting's. The attendance was therefore small. It was not a very harmonious g-athering. This lack of harmony for some years hindered the work in the territory. It was at this meeting- that Rev. A. W. Hilton, then pastor at Cherokee, la., first visited Dakota. Having a large family, and an inadequate support in the pastorate, he looked to Dakota, where opportunities were offered for securing a home, by filing a homestead on government land. After the association adjourned, in company with Rev. A. W. Hilton and Rev. T. H. Judson, we started by team from Vermillion up the Vermillion river to Pinlay, the home of Rev. J. J. Mclntire. In fact his home was Pinlay. His house served the purpose of hotel, meeting house and post office. For a week or more we looked over the great stretch of country to the north and west, nearly all of which was then govern- ment land. During this trip we visited Sioux Palls, then a small village. While there Mr. Hilton filed on the piece of land that was his home during all of his ministry in Dakota. Mr. Judson filed on his homestead which is now a part of the townsite of Hurley. I also filed on a claim, and this was the Coffman home from 1878 to 1886. On Sunday, June 21, the church at Pinlay gathered for their regular service at their usual place of meeting, Mr. Mclntire's house, and there were four Baptist preachers present. In the claims selected for homes during that trip, and the results that fol- lowed, the future life-work of some of God's servants was fixed. We were also able to get some idea of the great missionary field that was then opening up, and calling for laborers. There could not be a better prospect for a bountiful harvest than was seen all over the country. This continued until nearly harvest time. Many important interests depended on this crop. Churches expected 134 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. to be able to build meeting- houses. Many of the new communities expected to tax themselves to build school houses. Many families hoped to be able to move out of sod houses into better ones, which they expected to be able to build from the proceeds of the crop. But how quickly are our hopes often dashed to the g-round! On Friday afternoon July 17, 1874, g-rasshoppers beg-an to descend upon us. There were millions of them. The harvest prospect was g-one. But, however thick they were on Friday, on the following- Sunday they came all day long-, literally in clouds, as plain to see as ever clouds of smoke were seen rising- from burning- prairies. Every vestig-e of a crop was destroyed. One who has never seen a " g-rasshopper raid" can have no just conception of the total destruction of veg-etation that results from such a visit. At the semi-annual meeting- of the association held at Canton, in Sep- tember, a committee consisting- of J. P. Coffman, T. H. Judson and J. J. Mclntire, was appointed to make an appeal, through the denominational papers for aid for our destitute Baptist families. Liberal responses were made to this appeal. Out of this movement g-rew a call for a public meeting- which resulted in the org-an- ization of a relief association for the assistance of all classes of needy people in the territory. Our church work over the entire field was g-reatly hindered because of the destitution that followed the grasshopper plague. But the Home Mission Society gave us counsel and help. Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., dis- trict secretary for Nebraska and Dakota, visited us, and inspired us with hope and courage. Through the help received from the society I was enabled to remain on my field. Late in 1875 we had a precious revival at Elk Point. This greatly strengthened the church, the membership being about doubled. About this time I became associated also with the Portlandville church (now Akron) in pastoral work. This arrangement con- tinued as long as I remained pastor at Elk Point. Plans were almost completed to build a chapel for the Port- landville church when, in July, 1876, another grasshop- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 135 per scourg-e came, and the prospective crop, then so fair, were swept away and the people were left stranded ag-ain. This visitation was not so serious as the one in 1874, because it came later, and sorne of the small grain had been secured. The financial crisis of 1873 was felt, of course, in this new country, but all the disad- vantages of hard times were greatly intensified by the loss of crops resulting from the grasshopper plague. Any advance in work along missionary lines was seri- ously hindered, the number of churches did not increase, and there was not much growth in population by immigration. Early in 1877 I resigmed at Elk Point, quite uncertain whether I should remain longer in the territory. One thing helped to hold me here. I had built a good house at Elk Point, and it was very difficult at that time to sell property. Having supplied for a few months the church at Cherokee, la., I was urged, in August, 1877, to go to Yankton. Repeated previous failures to suc- cessfully establish the Baptist cause at the capitol of the territory made me hesitate to attempt the work. The importance of the field, its needs, and the urgent solicitation of Dr. Webb, decided for me the question of duty. Once upon the field I found the situation even worse than I had supposed. The only place of meeting was an old, out-of-the-way, empty store-room. The little church was rent in twain. Influential citi- zens, who had come to Yankton as Baptists, went into the Congregational church, which was then strong and popular. In the matter of support the Home Mission Society was to become largely responsible. After re- maining on the field five months we were notified that the society could no longer support the work at Yank- ton. This action decided my course for several coming vears. Early in 1878 I decided to perfect the title to the land on which I had filed in 1874, in Turner county, and moved my family to the homestead. I, however, continued services at Yankton for half of the time, and as the Vermillion church was without a pastor, I con- 136 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. sented to supply it. These trips to Yankton and Vermillion were made weekly by team. In August, 1878, I was ag-ain urg-ed to take up the work at Yank- ton, under appointnient as missionary of the Society. In answer to the request of Dr. S. S. Cutting-, then Corresponding- Secretary of the Society, I said: "I am now on my homestead, forty-five miles distant from Yankton, and the Yankton church oug-ht to have a man on the field seven days in the week." To this he re- plied: "We know the situation, and if we cannot do what we would, we must do what we can." I ag-ain be- came a missionary of the Society, on the understanding- that the church should build a place of worship. So I once more beg-an work in Yankton, driving- weekly from my home in Turner county. During- the winter of 1878-9, which my family spent in eastern Iowa, I stayed at Yankton. The territorial leg-islature were there in session, and I was elected chaplain of the lower house. The little salary received for this service g-reatly aided me in tiding over the hard places. The building of the house of worship was carried on, as best we could under adverse circumstances. My last preaching service was held in it as I closed the year of my appointment, in August, 1879. On the following- Sunday the new pastor, Rev. T. J. Brownson, and his wife, took up the lines of work. I have never been sat- isfied with what was accomplished during' my stay at Yankton. The Baptist cause began there under as favorable conditions as any of the other denominations, but serious difficulties and divisions soon made it a very unpromising field. In 1879 a new era began in the history of Dakota. A new inspiration pervaded all departments of life. • Our Baptist cause shared in the benefits of this new order of things. This was the year of unusual activity in building lines of railroad in the territory. Almost everywhere could be seen civil engineers and surveyors marking out the lines of proposed railroads. There was great rivalry between the "Northwestern" and the "Milwaukee" systems, each trying to pre-occupy REV. J. P. COFFMAN, 1874- 1S94. / THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 137 the field. The hard times beg-inning- with the panic of 1873, and the effects of the grasshopper plag-ues in 1874 and 1876 had been keenly felt, but in 1879 everything- was chang-ed. At this time very little was being* done by the Home Mission Society in the territory. The new order of thing's and new financial conditions were being- felt on every hand. Great crowds of settlers were coming- to Dakota, and many new settlements were calling- for missionary help. In the summer of this year the few Baptist ministers who were then in the territory, felt the very g-reat necessity of more ag-g-ressive work on this growing- field by the Home Mission Society, and a conference was held at Sioux Palls, at which there were present Revs. A. W. Hilton, H. E. Norton, V. B. Conklin, J. P. Merriam, and myself. After a full discussion of the situation, a committee was appointed to prepare an appeal to the board in New York, laying- before them the g-reat field and its rapidly increasing needs, the hundreds of miles of new railroads being built, and the scores of new towns rising like magic on the prai- ries. I wrote the appeal. It was long and earnest. The result soon followed. Rev. William M. Haigh, D. D., of Chicago, western secretary of the society, was requested by the board to visit Dakota. He was soon on the field, and saw the situation and its increas- ing needs. It was not long until we had a general mis- sionary. Rev. Edward Ellis, and soon began the aggressive work of the Home Mission Socie'ty in behalf of the Baptist cause in Dakota, which has been carried on ever since. During 1880 and the latter part of 1879 circum- stances kept me closely at home. I did no pastoral work, but preaching services here and there were ren- dered "without money and without price." Late in 1880 the country experienced one of the severest storms ever known in its history. On the 15th of Octo- ber, about noon, a fearful snowstorm came, which lasted two days and nights. This was the beginning of the hard winter of 1880-1, when we were shut in 138 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. most of the time. The interruption of trains was fre- quent until the last of January, and 'then it was com- plete. The mail train on the Milwaukee road went east past my house on the night of January 29. The next time that I heard the whistle of an eng-ine was on April 14. To add to the general discomfiture, when the snow blockade was lifted, the melted snows caused such floods of water that nearly all of the bridges in the country were swept away. Under these circum- stances but little missionary work was possible for several months. In the early summer, however, active work for the Lord was resumed. In July of this year, 1881, I was requested by Rev. Edward Ellis to go to Mitchell, and look after Baptist interests there. I did so, and preached the first Baptist sermon in Mitchell, July 17. The services were held in a little Presbyterian chapel, the only church build- ing there, except one belonging to the Catholics. I found from fifteen to twenty Baptists and the number was being increased by the continual coming of new settlers. At one of these meetings I first met Deacon B. Morse, whose presence and helpfulness were ever after a benediction to me while working on that field. The Episcopal house of worship was soon finished, and we were able to occupy the school house one-half of the time. After the following May we were able to use the school house every Sunday, and so all, instead of one- half of my time was given to that field. The attendance and interest increased at these services. The Baptist church at Mitchell was organized November 17, 1881, with fourteen members. Others soon after identified themselves with the organization. After considerable difficulty desirable lots were secured, on which w^as afterwards built the present house of worship. My services at Mitchell continued until September, 1882, when Rev. S. J. Winegar was called as pastor. Immediately after this I went with Rev. Edward Ellis, to Alexandria, where urgent appeals had been made for the Baptists to build a house of worship. Such promises were made as encouraged the effort to THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 139 build. The building* was erected, supervised wholly by General Missionary Ellis. I continued to preach at Alexandria until May, 1883. In May or June the house was completed and dedicated. A brother from the east had just come to serve as pastor and push on the work. He was present at the dedication, and on the Sunday following-. Then, being- overcome by homesickness, because he found there "no mountains, or hills, or trees," he left suddenly for his eastern home. An- other man was secured. Rev. Thomas Dyall. A tide had however, set in ag-ainst our cause at Alexandria, and under these adverse conditions others came and occupied the field. In the winter of 1883-4, I was asked to take up the declining- cause there. I spent some time on the field, and then gave it up as a hopeless undertaking-. In the fall of 1884, the little church at Hurley asked me to take hold of the work there, and become pastor, serving- them as best I could, while living- on my home- stead. This I consented to do, and I was associated with that field until the close of 1885. Rev. J. J. Mc- Intire were then living- at Hurley, where he and his wife were teachers in the public schools. The home of Rev. E. Sill, was also there. These brethren were helpers during- all of the time of my service at Hurley. During this period we had a precious revival, and many were added to the church. Near the close of this service, the church at Akron, (formerly Portlandville) opened correspondence with reference to my becoming- pastor of that church. I had been considering- the question of leaving- my farm, and ag-ain giving- my time wholly to pastoral work, and this call, tog-ether with the advice of some g'ood breth- ren helped me in reaching- a decision. I moved to Akron in February, 1886. In the fall of that year began the g-reat revival, which, with our church, con- tinued a full year. CHAPTER XV. RET. G. S. CL.ETENGER. The historical and biographical sketches published in several preceding chapters have reference mainly to the work as witnessed and shared in by those who served as missionary pastors during- the first and sec- ond decades. The following- sketch is furnished by Rev. G. S. Cleveng-er, who came early in the third de- cade. Several churches had been org-anized, and the work was becoming well established in a number of the southern counties of Dakota, but in the central and northern portion of the state, everything was compar- atively new. A few churches, one or two years old, were in existence, but many more were needed, and the greater part of the state was distinctively missionary ground. Mr. Clevenger's destination on coming to Dakota was Sioux Falls, but on his way he visited Brookings, and was urged so strongly to become the shepherd of the little flock there that he consented to remain. During an active and successful pastorate of six years, the the Baptist cause at Brookings became well established, and, so far as possible, missionary services were ren- dered at other localities, especially at Efkton and Bushnell. On some of these mission fields there are now prosperous churches. At the close of his labors at Brookings he settled at Vermillion, and afterwards, at THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 141 Rapid City, and he is now pastor at Pierre. During- the Spanish-American war he was chaplain of the Third United States Cavalry Regiment. At the time of the annual meeting- of the South Dakota Baptist Convention, at Madison, in 1894, a historical session was held on the shore of Lake Madison, where the convention was org-anized, in Baker's barn, in 1881. A number of pioneer workers were present, and the session was devoted to historical papers and addresses. Among- the interesting- historical reminiscences were those furnished by Mr. Cleveng-er, in the following- paper. It would g-ive me g-reat pleasure to meet the pioneer ministers of Dakota, and with them recall the past, and I have been cherishing- the hope that I mig-ht be able to do so, but circumstances over which I have no control prevent me. At the last moment I sketch some recol- lections to show that I have not forg-otten your kind invitation. When I ask myself the question, who will probably be present, of those who were actively en- g-aged in ministerial work in Dakota in the early '80's, it dawns upon me that the number will be very small. Some have gone to their eternal home, and others have left the state. I came to Dakota in June, 1882. I never had been west of Columbus, Ohio, and hence had never seen a prairie. I came from western New York, a section of country that is strongly Baptistic. There we had our ministerial unions. We exchanged pulpits. There was no lack of ministerial association and fellowship. To say that our experience was new and strange when we settled in Brookings, in September, 1882, feebly expresses our feelings at that time. Except our good brother Ross, who was then located at Oakwood, there was no Baptist church west of us until we reached Huron; none to the north until we reached Watertown; and none south until we reached Egan or Dell Rapids. I do not remember my eastern boundaries. Our 142 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. church at Brookings numbered nine members. As near as I can express it there was a ming-led feeling- of loneliness and fascination. We were lonely because we were so isolated; fascinated at the thoug-ht of lay- ing- foundations, and cherishing- the hope that the little hamlets would soon be cities, and the little churches large ones. I think we may say that we lived larg-ely by hope. The annual meeting' of the state convention, which was held at Sioux Palls the following- October, fur- nished the first privileg-e I had of meeting- my brother ministers. I think I had met no one up to that time except Rev. Walter Ross. At that meeting- we dedi- cated the present Baptist church building- at Sioux Falls. There we discovered the necessity of an edu- cational institution for Dakota. The speeches were enthusiastic. They were just such as only young- men, with little or no experience on new fields, could make. Then we discovered the g-reater needs of Dakota. We pictured to ourselves how cities would spring- up by mag-ic all over the prairies, and we must take them for Christ and the Baptist denomination. It was a convention, thoug-h small, that was brimful of hope. We discovered different methods of doing mis- sionary work. Our dear brother Ellis, thought we ought to reach out and become bishops for miles around. Some of us, with our eastern ideas, did not know how it was possible to hold a center, and spread ourselves over the prairies. That convention did me a great deal of good. It was the first step in the pro- cess of westernizing me. During the convention we ordained our good brother, Jacob Olson. He was a spare, boyish looking Nor- wegian. His speech was broken, and it was difficult for him to make himself understood. He had had but little training in the schools, but there was a genuine- ness and abundant common-sense about him which won our hearts, and we ordained him. Time has proved that we made no mistake, for who has stood more faith- fully at his post than he? I recall a number of friend- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 143 ships formed at that convention which I have always cherished, with Coffman, Wineg-ar, Ellis, Freeman, Norton, Cressey and others. Orcutt and Adams I had known in Denison University. Ross I had met before coming* to Sioux Palls. We returned to our small fields determined to lift up the standard of the Lord in g-odless Dakota. It seemed that the people had come to Dakota for every- thing* else but relig-ion. Stores were open, and busi- ness was conducted on the Sabbath, in the various towns, about as on any other day. This worldliness on the part of Christian people made prog'ress in the churches for a time very slow. There were no sweep- ing* revivals reported in 1883, in what is now known as South Dakota. Outside of Vermillion, which was then what mig*ht be called an old church, there were only fifty-three baptisms reported for the whole of South Dakota. At that time there were thirty-one churches in the Soutiiern Dakota and the Sioux Valley asso- ciations. It was a period of g*athering- tog*ether and org-anizing the forces, of pouring* the g*ospel into the church mem- bers, and leading* them back to their first love; a period most trying* to the pastor. Some pastors who came from the east became greatly discouraged, and some even resigned at the end of six months and went back east again. It would be interesting to follow the dif- ferent fields in their vicissitudes, but that would make a book. I sincerely hope that ere this present genera- tion passes away, some one will give us a history of the Baptists of South Dakota. Such a history would record many triumphs, and at the same time would record many heroic struggles on the part of pastors and their wives, in holding their fields. I could write page after page of struggles which have come under my own observation. If I were with you I should be tempted to relate some of them, but I must forbear. These struggles arose mainly because the people of Dakota have passed through such vicissitudes. After seven years of work in eastern Dakota, we 144 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. came to the Black Hills. Ag-ain we plunged into the wilderness. When we reached Rapid City in July, 1889, we found a little band of ten persons org-anized into a Baptist church. They did not possess even a singing book. I found a little band of about a dozen at Deadwood with Rev. E. Purvis trying to lead them. This was all there was in the entire Black Hills in the shape of Baptist churches. There was not a Baptist church building in the Hills. The struggle in securing houses of worship and building up congregations was similar to that in eastern South Dakota, only more severe. The same period of gathering, organizing and leading God's people back to their first love had to be entered upon here. I am glad to say that we now have houses of worship at Deadwood, Custer City, Hot Springs, Lead City and Rapid City. We have also church or- ganizations at Hill City, Oelrich and Beaver Basin. We have now reached a point where I think we may say that the Baptists have come to stay. I 4iope that in the near future there may be sweeping revivals in all these towns, and place the churches upon a high spirit- ual plane. Owing to the financial depression and the fact that the Home Mission Society must cut down appropriations this will be a difficult year for the churches to support their pastors. I presume the same will be true in the eastern part of the state. As I think of what has been accomplished in South Dakota, during the past twelve years, for our denomi- nation, I thank God and take fresh courage. At first thought it may seem small. When I first came in 1882, I think that our churches numbered about one thou- sand members in all, perhaps not so many. (The number reported that year was 846.) To-day (1894) we must have nearly five thousand. (5009.) South Dakota has passed through severe trials, and as a consequence there have been many removals. Many of the churches have now very few of their first members. When we take into consideration the circumstances, I feel that we ought to be profoundly thankful to the great head of the church. Surely He has been in the midst of the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 145 candlesticks in South Dakota. I feel that we should be grateful to our beloved Home Mission Society for their steadfast help. I feel also that the churches of South Dakota owe the state superintendent of missions a debt of gratitude for his patient, faithful and wise leader- ship throug-h these most trying- years. May our kind Father continue His blessing's to the pastors and churches of South Dakota. CHAPTER XVI. THE BL.ACK HILLS, The Black Hills are located mainly in South Dakota, but they extend across its western boundary into Wyoming-. Including* the adjacent foot hills they cover an area of from seven to eig-ht thousand square miles. Their g-reatest leng-th about one hundred miles from north to south, and the'^averag-e breadth is nearly sixty miles. They rise above the almost boundless plains like an island in mid-ocean. A study of the g-eolog-y of this wonderful region clearly shows that in the mig-hty upheaval which produced this cong^lomeration of moun- tains and hills, the central nucleus or core was Harney Peak, having- an elevation of nearly 8,200 feet. This is a mountain of nearly solid g-ranite. Standing- on its summit the tourist beholds a mag-niiicent view of this g-reat mountainous "Island of the Plain;" while the more closely observing- g-eolog-ist is studying- a rare illustration of the various strata which once lay above the fundamental g-ranite, but now, since the volcanic uplift, dipping- outwardly on all sides, and their out- cropping- edg-es succeeding- each other in concentric ring-s. The numerous mountains of the Black Hills were not grouped nor classified into ranges. They were up- heaved promiscuously, each one seemingly being re- sponsible only for itself. It is not surprising- that this DEACON T. A. B. DEXTER, 1S77-1S99. PIONEER BAPTIST IN THE BLACK HILI.S. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 147 vast reg-ion has become a specially interesting- study among" gfeologists and mineralog^ists, and is often re- ferred to as a g-eologfical freak. The rocky mountains and hills, scarred and blackened by volcanic action, and covered, as most of them are, with immense forests of dark pine trees, naturally sug-g^ested to the Indian tribes who first dwelt here, a significant name, which their more civilized successors have never attempted to chang-e, "The Black Hills." The original inhabitants of the Black Hills were the Crow Indians. After securely holding possession of them for many generations, they were driven eastward, probably a century ago, by the Sioux Indians, and these, in comparatively recent years, have had to give way to the encroachments of the white race, assisted by governmental influence. No details concerning the Black Hills were known until military expeditions were sent to explore them. The first of these was sent out in September, 1857, under the command of Lieutenant (afterwards Major General) G. K. Warren. This ex- pedition was accompanied by a well-known geologist and naturalist. Dr. P. V. Hayden. On account of the hostile attitude of the Indians, only a small portion of the country was explored, and the effort to penetrate further was unsuccessful. The second exploring ex- pedition was sent to the Black Hills in 1874, under the command of General Geo. A. Custer. It covered a period of about three months, and was successful in securing for the goverment information concerning the extent, and some of the resources, of that wonderfully interesting country. The existence of gold in the Black Hills was prob- ably known to the Indians, but if so they carefully guarded the secret. Nuggets of gold were occasion- 148 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ally shown by Indians to white men whom they knew, and who were considered as friends, but they would not reveal the places where they were found. In 1889 the author heard Sitting- Bull, one of the best known chiefs of the Sioux Indians, complain that the Great Father at Washing-ton had kept them in ig-norance of the existence of g-old in that country until they had ceded the Black Hills to the g^overnment, and were removed to the Sioux Indian reservation. But this was only one of a series of complaints. It is likely that they knew that g-old was there, but they did not know the value of the treasure that g-littered in the sand and gravel along- the streams in their mountainous home. The outside world was in ig-norance of its existence. If adventurous white men ever penetrated the hills, they never returned to tell what they had seen and learned. It is claimed for Dr. P. V. Hayden, the g-eol- og-ist who was with the Warren expedition in 1857, by Charles Picotte, an educated half-breed Yankton Indian who accompanied him, that he discovered g-old while examining" some rock formations near Bear Butte, but if such a discovery was made, it was not made public. The first authenticated discovery of g-old in the Black Hills was July 27, 1874, during- the expedition led by General Custer, by William McKay and Horatio N. Ross. These men accompanied Custer's reg-iment as guides and scouts. They had formerly been engaged in placer mining in California. When the expedition reached a point on French Creek, about two miles from what is now Custer City, they noticed some shining particles in the gravel and sand, and on washing a few pans full of it, their suspicions were confirmed. The fact soon became established that gold existed in the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 149 Black Hills. Mr. McKay, one of the men who made so important a discovery, died several years ago. Mr. Ross is still livino-, his home being- at Custer City. In an extended interview with him in 1889, and other interviews since then, he related many interesting incidents concerning this event, and the exciting scenes that followed, and accompanied the writer to the place on French Creek, where they first ascertained the existence of gold. He gives McKay the credit of being the first one to discover the existence of tin in the Black Hills. As this region then belonged to the Indians, it could not be occupied by white men, even for mining pur- poses, without their consent. When it became known that gold could be found there, it was not long until thousands of courageous men flocked to the hills and mountains. It became necessary for the government to use the soldiers under the command of General Crook, and others, in what proved to be a practically vain attempt to drive out and to keep out the miners. It soon became evident that it would be necessary to make a treaty with the Indians, and thus secure peace- able possession of the Black Hills. A commission was appointed June 18, 1875, but it was unsuccessful, as the Indians demanded an unreasonable price from the gov- ernment. A second commission was appointed early in 1876. By this time the Indians realized that if they were not more reasonable in their demands, the miners would take forcible possession, and they would realize nothing. They therefore signed a treaty which secured for them a fair equivalent for their lands. The treaty was completed September 26, 1876, and ratified Febru- ary 28, 1877, and the Indians removed eastward, to the Sioux Reservation, between the Black Hills and the Missouri river. 150 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Before this was accomplished, however, many local- ities were practically under the control of miners, large companies of whom were formed in Iowa, Nebraska and other states. The best known of these was the Gordon expedition, from Sioux City, la. The first building's in the Black Hills, were erected by them on French Creek, about three miles below Custer City. These buildings were surrouded by a carefully-built stockade. The first town established was Custer City, on August 10, 1875. A number of the settlers, who had served in the confederate army, wanted it called Stonewall, but the majority decided that it should be named in honor of General George A. Custer. During the first six months its population was larger than it has ever been since. On the discovery of gold in Deadwood gulch in De- cember following, the population of Custer City, which had been over five thousand, dwindled rapidly to less than thirty. The second town located was at Hill City, in January, 1876, by a company of miners who after- wards went to Deadwood. The first discovery of gold in Deadwood gulch was made early in December, 1875. A party of nine men had gone there prospecting, and of these, 'William Gay and Joseph Ingoldsby first saw the shining metal at a place opposite the site of the present Deadwood and Central City toll house. Gold was found all along the gulch, and very soon the scene of activity was removed from the region about Custer City to Deadwood. Rapid City was established in February, 1876, by John R. Brennan and others. The first white woman who went to the Black Hills is said to have been the wife of General Custer, who accompanied him on his expedition in 1874. The second was Mrs. Anna R. Tallent, who was with her husband in the Gordon party THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. I5l from Sioux City in October, 1874. The third was the historical character known throug-hout the northwest as ''Calamity Jane," who drifted into the Hills with the military expedition of General Crook in 1875. Nearly every valuable and useful mineral known to man is found in paying quantities in the Black Hills. Among these are gold, silver, copper, tin, nickel, anti- mony, lead, iron and coal. The annual yield of gold, even with the imperfect means of development on account of the lack of railroads until recent years, has averaged over $3,500,000. The Homestake company at Lead City, which has been in existence twenty-one years, has obtained an aggregate of over S60,000,000. The lowest estimate of the total output of gold in the Black Hills is $90,000,000. This places South Dakota in the third rank among the gold producing states of the Union. Tin abounds in many places. There are two great tin belts, covering an area of over two hun- dred and fifty square miles. Nickel is found in many places. One of the largest nickel mines in the world is near Harney Peak. Merchantable mica exists in var- ious localities, the amount already produced being worth over §600,000. Bituminous coal is abundant. Lignite is found in veins varying from three to forty- five feet in thickness. Salt and petroleum wells exist on the southwestern border. The mountainous region is encircled by enormous belts of gypsum, limestone and marble. The quality is of the best, and the supply is inexhaustible. It has been repeatedly stated that there is no other place of equal area in any country that abounds so richly in all the elements of wealth and and prosperity. Prom the ratification of the treaty with the Indians, in April, 1877, may be reckoned the beginning of the 152 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. legalized and permanent settlement of white people in the Black Hills. Immediately following- this treaty, a number of settlements were established. As cities and villag-es were developed from mining- camps, and the pioneer tents and cabins of miners g-ave place to homes and families, it was necessary to g-ive some attention to the relig-ious needs of the people. The pioneer missionary in the Black Hills was Rev. Henry W. Smith, a Methodist Ininister, who was killed by the Indians Aug-ust 20, 1876, while on his way from Dead- wood to preach at Crook City. His first sermon in the Hills was preached near Custer City, May 7, 1876. The first church organization was that of the Cong-re- g-ationalists, in Deadwood, about Jaiiuary 1, 1877. The first churches org-anized in Rapid City and Lead City, were by the Cong-reg-ationalists, both in 1878. The first Methodist church organized was at Deadwood, late in 1877. It was eleven years later that the first Baptist church was organized. During those years there were doubtless Baptists among the increasing but constantly changing population in the Black Hills, but of their number and location the denomination at large knew little or nothing. It has sometimes been asserted that the Baptist denomination neglected that region, but the statement is hot sustained by a knowl- edge of the facts in the case. The only organization through which assistances could be rendered was the American Baptist Home Mission Society. At that time its field to be cultivated was as large as it is now, but its financial resources and ability to do the work needed were not more than one-third as great as at the present time. It is true that while other denominations gained a foothold during the years from 1877 to 1888, the Baptists had to begin their work later. This is ^ '«: THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 153 a matter to be regretted, but it could not be avoided. It was financially impossible, under conditions then existing-, for the Home Mission Society to enter upon the work of organization in that important region. In February, 1884, Rev. J. L. DeLand, of Michigan, was sent by the society to the Black Hills on a visit of exploration. He was instructed to ascertain where Baptists were located, and the prospective importance of the localities visited, but not to orjofanize churches, leaving- that to be done as soon afterward as the finan- cial condition of the society would warrant it, and mis- sionaries could be found willing to enter the field. Not long- after the visit of Mr. DeLand, the society passed through the experience of its first great finan- cial embarrassment, having- to strug-gle with a debt of nearly $150,000. The beginning- of work on new fields was impossible, and retrenchment on fields already occupied was a necessity. In 1887, Rev. Dwig-ht Spen- cer, who was superintending the work of the society in Utah and Montana, visited the Black Hills. Concern- ing this visit he says: "I held meetings at Buffalo Gap, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Sturgis, Deadwood, and Lead City. In addition to these meeting's, I visited Baptists in many localities, and talked with them as to the prospects of denominational work. The impress- ion was that the time was not favorable just then. It was not then known just what points new railroads would reach, and it seemed to the brethren unwise to beg-in to organize and build until this was settled." In addition to the foreg"oing statements, it is well to remember that for three years and long-er, previous to 1888, the financial condition of the society rendered it impracticable to appoint a superintendent of missions for South Dakota. 154 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. In May, 1888, Rev. T. M. Shanafelt became state superintendent of missions for South Dakota, including the Black Hills. It was during* this year that the first attempt was made at org*anization, and the permanent occupancy of the Black Hills by Baptist missionaries and Baptist churches. It was decided to beg-in at Deadwood. Arrang^ements were made for the appoint- ment of Rev. P. Purvis, who entered upon his work at Deadwood in September, 1888. The first Baptist church in the Black Hills was org-anized at Deadwood, October 31, 1888. Mr. Purvis served as pastor until January 1, 1890, when he remov^ed to Sundance, Wyo., and after a short pastorate there he returned to the east. Other pastors at Deadwood have been Rev. A. W. Snider, from April 1, 1890, to October 1, 1891; Rev. Bartlett Foskett, from November 1, 1891, to May 1, 1893; Rev. W. E. Wig-ht, one year from May 1, 1893; Rev. W. A. Mason, D. D., one year, beg-inning' May 1, 1894. After the resig-nation of Dr. Mason, May 1, 1895, Miss Ida M. Sherman, evangelist, was eng'aged as sup- ply until a pastor could be secured. She was called to the pastorate of the church September 1, 1895, and has served longer than any of her predecessors. The church was greatly strengthened and encouraged, and gained a strong hold on the people of the city. She organized, and with the assistance of the church, con- ducted successfully a Chinese school having over forty members. Eleven of these became members of the church. One of them has gone to China as a Christian missionary. It is an interesting fact that when Rev. J. L. DeLand was sent to the Black Hills as a mission- ary explorer, he found at Deadwood two Christian Chi- nese, Effa Tang and Chin Youce, one of them a mem- ber of a Baptist church on the Pacific coast. The THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 155 present pastor at Deadwood is Rev. C. L. Kirk. During" the pastorate of Rev. A. W. Snider a fine house of worship was built, which was dedicated September 6, 1891. The total cost of the building", furniture, and lots was $7,000. Early on Sunday morning, October 2, 1892, it was seriously injured by fire, involving- a loss of about $1,800, partially covered by insurance. The house was repaired and refurnished, and services were resumed December 18, 1892. The church at Rapid City was org-anized June 16, 1889. On the first of July, 1889, Rev. G. S. Clevenger became pastor. His services closed October 1, 1895, after a pastorate of about six years. The house of worship there was dedicated March 15, 1891. The val- uation of the property is S5,000. For two years the church was without a pastor, until the settlement of Rev. A. B. Steuernagel, November 1, 1897. He was ordained December 15, 1897. The church at Hot Spring's was organized Aug-ust 27, 1890. Its first pas- tor was Rev. E. H. Sweet. He beg-an his labors there February 1, 1891, but remained only six months, when he returned to Massachusetts. For one year the church was without a pastor, but services were con- ducted as frequently as possible by Rev. C. H. McKee, district missionary, and others. On the first day of August, 1892, Rev. Robert Leslie became pastor, and served as such with great fidelity and earnestness for four years. Rev. J. F. Catlin settled as pastor Janu- ary 1, 1897. He was ordained April 13, 1897. Lots were secured by the general missionary, and a house of worship was begun in the autumn of 1891. On account of the difficulty of securing necessary funds, its completion was delayed. The dedication services were held August 28, 1892. The total cost of the church property was $5,000. 156 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. The church at Custer City was organized August 30, 1890. In this case, as also at Hot Springs, one or two preliminary meetings had been held, but the work of organization was perfected on the dates given. It was supplied frequently by Rev. C. H. McKee, district missionary, until April 1, 1891, when he became pastor of this church, and also of the church at Hill City. A house of worship was begun in the closing months of 1891. It was dedicated September 11, 1892, during the annual meeting of the Black Hills Association. The cost of the building when completed was §2,800. Rev. C. H. McKee continued as pastor until Septem- ber, 1894. Rev. James W. Given, of Louisville, Ky., became pastor January 1, 1895, but served only until July. Rev. Henry Cocks, of Kansas, was called as pastor July 1, but remained only three months. Rev. P. T. Drewett began his labors there October 1, 1895, and served until June, 1897. Rev. W. H. Austin began his labors there in August, 1897. He was ordained December 15, 1897. A church was organized at Hill City, Aug-ust 31, 1890. Its nominal pastor was Rev. C. H. McKee. Only occasional services were rendered there, begin- ning April 1, 1891, and continuing at distant intervals for a couple of years. When the Harney Peak Tin Mining company, whose headquarters were at Hill City, suspended operations in 1893, it was a severe blow to the prosperity of that prospectively important place, and among the many who removed to other local- ities were most of the members of the little Baptist church. The few who remain will serve as a nucleus of the church of the future, when there is an improved condition of business interests at Hill City. The church at Lead City was organized September THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 157 3, 1891. Rev. Geo. H. Thompson was called to the pastorate in February, 1892. He remained however, only a few weeks, preferring- to continue in the work of an evang-elist. The church was without a leader until October 1, 1893, when Rev. J. A. Archibald became pastor. He was ordained April 18, 1894. The present pastor is Rev. J. A. Marple. A house of worship was dedicated February 2, 1896. It is valued at $2,500. The young-est of the Baptist churches in the Black Hills are located at Oelrichs and Beaver Basin. They were org-anized in March, 1893, Oelrichs March 5, an.d Beaver Basin March 27. Rev. F. T. Drewett was ordained March 9, 1893, to the work of the ministry and became their pastor, serving- as such until October 1, 1895, when he became pastor of the church at Custer City, and remained until June, 1897. His successors have been Rev. K. S. Doug-lass and Rev. J. A. Wrig-ht. On the western side of the Black Hills a church was org-an- ized in January, 1889, at Sundance, Wyoming-. Its first pastor was Rev. F. Purvis, who removed to that field at the close of his pastorate in Deadwood. On account of its isolation and unfavorable local conditions, it has been a feeble org-anization. Early in the work of Baptist development of the Black Hills, as it was necessary to build several houses of worship, it became evident that a larg-er amount of aid would be necessary than could be furnished by the church edifice fund of the Home Mission Society. By request of the board of that society, its g-eneral mis- sionary. Rev. T. M. Shanafelt, was sent to Michig-an, in January, 1890, to raise a special church edifice fund of $1,500 for use in the Black Hills. He succeeded in raising- a fund of $2,000, to which was later added $600 more. This special fund furnished g-reatly needed 158 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. assistance in the erection of houses of worship, espe- cially at Deadwood, Hot Spring's, Custer City and Rapid City. The Black Hills Baptist Association was org'anized by the state superintendent of missions, at Rapid City, September 12, 1890. At its beg-inning- it included the churches at Deadwood, Rapid City, Lead City, Custer City, Hot Spring's and Hill City, in South Dakota, and Sundance in Wyoming. The churches at Oelrichs and Beaver Basin were admitted to the Association in 1893. Rev. C. H. McKee was appointed district missionary for the Black Hills, April 1, 1890. His services con- tinued one year, and were under the supervision of the g-eneral missionary. On the first of April, 1891, he became pastor of the churches at Custer City and Hill City, and continued until September, 1894, when he re- moved to Albany, Oreg-on. In the early prosecution of the work, valuable assistance was rendered by Rev. H. C. Woods, D. D. The services rendered by Rev. P. H. Wilkinson, who was then Sunday school missionary for Wyoming" and the Black Hills, in house to house visitation, and the org-anization of Sunday schools, will long' be gfratefully remembered. By special arrangement evangelistic work was done for three months by Rev. Geo. H. Thompson, and about eight months by Miss Ida M. Sherman, which served greatly to encourage and streng'then the churches. Deacon T. A. B. Dexter, a pioneer Baptist layman, came to Deadwood in 1877. After years of anxious waiting, he has been permitted to see the Baptist cause established and successfully carried on in the Black Hills. In this work he has borne an important part. Including generous assistance rendered to his own church at Deadwood, he has been a liberal contributor THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 159 towards, the erection of the other houses of worship in the Hills. The American Baptist Home Mission Society has a strong- claim upon the gratitude of tJie Baptists of the Black Hills for its exceptional liberality in the g-ener- ous assistance rendered in the support of missionaries and building houses of worship. Considering the num- ber of churches, there is no field, of equal area, in all the vast territory aided by the Society, where its ap- propriations have been .so large, from both the mission- ary and church edifice funds. The total membership of the churches as reported at the last annual meeting of the Association is 283. The total valuation of church property is $22,300. In this chapter has beengiven a description of the Black Hills, the savage tribes of Indians who first inhabited them, the change from those who hunted game to those who sought for gold, and from the wild and reckless life of the early days to the civilization of the present. The history of this transition from a condition of law- lessness to one of law and order, is an interesting study. The wild scenes of disorder and reckless dis- regard for human life, too often witnessed in pioneer camps, have g-iven way to the stability and safety of a higher civilization. The gambler and desperado no longer rule, but have had to yield to the domination of a better element in society, which maintains the sanctity of law, and stands pledged for the safety of life and property. This influence, tending- to righteous- ness, began to exert its power early in the reign of lawlessness and crime. The minister of the gospel told of a better life and a higher aim, while the others drank and gambled in the saloon. On the mountain side, overlooking the city of Dead- 160 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. wood, is Mt. Moriah cemetery. In that cemetery are two graves, and over these graves have been placed statues representing- the men whose mortal remains lie buried there. The scroll cut on one of these bears this inscription: Wild Bill. J. H. Hickock, died Aug-ust 2, 1876, By a pistol shot, Agfed thirty-nine years. Custer was lonely without him. Under this inscription was cut in the marble a repre- sentation of a pair of pistols. On the other statue is this inscription: Rev. Henry Weston Smith. Was killed by Indians, Aug-ust 20, 1876, . While on his way from Deadwood to preach at Crook City. "Faithful unto death." Under this the sculptor's chisel has g-iven a repre- sentation of an open Bible. The deaths of these men occurred only a few days apart, in the early months of the existence of the g-reat mining- camp in Deadwood gulch. Both were suddenly killed, but under strang-ely different conditions. The one died at the hands of pag-an Indians, while attempting- faithfully to perform a Christian duty ; the other, noted as a desperado and g-ambler, was assassinated in a gambling- house, by another of his l^ind, who was jealous of his success and reputation as an outlaw. The lives and deeds of these two men^epresent the higher and the lower conditions of society in the pio- neer days of the Black Hills. At first the lower con- trolled, and robbery, and theft, and murder were com- mon events. The law of might was stronger than the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 161 law of rig-ht. But better influences were at work, and year by year better conditions prevailed. The pistol, which made Wild Bill and his class the terror of every community, is no longer in constant use and a menace to human life. It has had to yield to the open Bible of the martyr, Smith. The lessons of that book have not yet banished all wrong- doingf, nor made all men Chris- tians, but they have left their impress on the people, and broug-ht about a better condition of things in soci- ety, and introduced a higher civilization. The lawless- ness of the pioneer mining camp has become, like the road agent, a thing of the past, and in its place has come the law-abiding element of the city, where homes, and schools, and churches have been established, and are now maintained. Human life is as safe today in the Black Hills as in any of the older eastern states, and nowhere else are the rights of property or the sanctity of home more carefully guarded and protected. IX CHAPTER XVII. SCANDINAVIAN BAPTISTS. Many of the first settlers in Dakota came from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. They were hardy pio- neers, and with unshaken courage they endured the hardships and privations of those early years. The constant additions to their number, by immig'ration, resulted in the establishment of many Scandinavian colonies. In these settlements churches were early organized. Some of these people were members of Baptist churches in their fatherland. They brought their religion with them. On securing locations for their homes, they wanted to enjoy religious privileges. They beg-an, without delay, to hold meetings in their primitive dwellings. Most of these, at first, were dug'- outs and sod houses, but in many of them the voice of prayer and praise was heard, and God was devoutly worshiped. The first Baptist church in Dakota Territory that had a settled pastor was the Swedish Baptist church at Big Springs, which was organized early in July, 1869. This church, throug'h its pastor and other delegates, assisted in the organization of the first Baptist associ- ation. Other churches, representing the Swedes, Nor- wegians and Danes, were organized, and their number has increased, until they have become a strong and influential factor in the religious development of a new SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH, BIG SPRINGS. CHURCH ORGANIZED JULY, 1S69. FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED JUNE 7, 1S73. PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 24, 1S93. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 163 state. Like the American and German Baptists, the first Scandinavian Baptist churches were formed in the southern counties^ and their g-rowth was north- ward and westward. In tracing- the prog-ress of this g-rowth, a condensed outline of the history of these churches is here g-iven. Big Springs. — The first Swedish immig-rants came to Big- Spring-s, in Union county, in 1868. Others arrived in the spring- of 1869. They came from the vicinity of Orebro, Nerike, Sweden. A larg-e propor- tion of them were Baptists, and had been members of Baptist churches in Sweden. Early in July, 1869, a meeting- was held in the home of P. A. Ring-, to con- sider the matter of org-anizing- a Baptist church. It was a sod house, intended for a barn, but was first used as the family dwelling-. The exact date of this organization cannot be g-iven, as the early records are lost, but it was one of the early days in July. There were seven constituent members, P. A, Ring-, Andrew Lindbloom, Peter Larson, and their wives, and Peter Johnson. Mr. Ring', who had served as preacher in Sweden, was chosen to preach and take g*eneral charg-e of the meeting-s. This he continued to do until April, 1876, thoug-h his formal relation as pastor dates from July 14, 1872. Other Swedish Baptists united with the church. The first persons baptized were Fred- erick Larsen, Mrs. Andrew Anderson, and Miss Lou- isa Johnson. These were baptized July 14, 1872, by Rev. A. Norelius. As the church g*rew, a house of worship became necessary, and one was built, and ded- icated June 7, 1874. Up to 1876 the church was harmonious. Then a division of sentiment arose on the Sabbath question. Rev. P, A. Ring-, the pastor, led a movement in favor 164 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. of the observance of the seventh day, but in April of that year, he and the disturbing* element withdrew, and formed a Seventh Day Baptist church. He was succeeded as pastor by Rev. A. B. Nordberg-. The weakened church was soon streng-thened by accessions by baptism and letter. The following* ministers have served as pastors: P. A. Ring-, A. B. Nordberg-, C. Sandquist, C. M. Widen, Andrew Johnson, Andrew Swartz and C. Silene. There were some long- intervals between pastorates, but services were reg-ularly main- tained by well qualified lay members, including' C. J. Nilson, Peter Johnson, and others. Several extensive revivals were enjoyed, and they g-reatly streng-thened the church. A parsonag'e was built during- the pastor- ate of Rev. Andrew Johnson. Following- the g-reat revival of 1883, a new and larg-er house of worship be- came a necessity. Rev. Andrew Swartz, pastor, led in this movement, which was successful. It was dedi- cated September 24, 1893. Anticipatingf slig-htly the actual anniversary, on ac- count of the annual meeting* at Big* Spring's of the Scandinavian Baptist Conference or Association, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the org'anization of the church was celebrated June 3, 1894. It was an event of very deep interest, and was the first quarter cen- tennial anniversary ever held in South Dakota. Five of the six pastors of the church g'ave addresses, and a letter was read from the absent one. Rev. Andrew Johnson. Eng-lish and Swedish copies of the history of the church were read. Mr. A. Lindbloom the only constituent member still identified with the church, was an interested sharer in the proceeding's. The last pastor, Rev. Christopher Silene, entered upon his work in September, 1894, under brighter THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 165 prospects than any of his predecessors. With a larg-e experience, and possessing- all of the elements of lead- ership, he has led the work, along- all lines, to success. The church has now over two hundred members. At least one-half of these are young- people, well trained in Christian work. It is the larg-est Scandinavian Baptist church in the state. Several of its members are Americans and Germans. The whole region round about Big- Springs is Baptist in sentiment. The people have become so thoroughtly Americanized, that since 1888, during the oversight of pastors Johnson, Swartz and Silene, one-half of the services have been conducted in English. This language is used almost exclusively in the Sunday school and young people's meetings. Bloomingdade. — There were Swedish Baptist set- tlers at Bloom ingdale as early as 1868. So far as known the first religious service held by them was at four o'clock on Christmas morning, of that year. The first Swedish Baptist missionary who visited the field was Rev. P. A. Ring, of Big Springs. The first baptism at Bloomingdale occurred June 14, 1871, when four converts were baptized by him. He organized the church October 15, 1871. A house of worship was built in 1878. The date of dedication cannot be defi- nitely fixed, but it was probably in November. From the organization of the church until August, 1874, many were added to the church, but the additions were then offset by an almost equal number of exclusions, indicating defective early leadership. Many turned away to seventh day adventism and other errors, and the faithful few were greatly discouraged. In October, 1884, Rev. Jacob Olson, Scandinavian missionary, visited the field, sought out the genuine members, and was able to reclaim some who had wandered away. 166 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. Rev. James Dundin, from Sweden, became pastor in 1885, and served successfully for five years. His successors have been Rev. C. J. Nelson, M. A. Frid- lund, N. A. Lindholm and Olof Lind. The church is now in a prosperous condition. The missionary visits of Rev. Jacob Olsen have continued throug-h a period of fourteen years, and have resulted in much g^ood to the church. LoDi. — An American Baptist church was organized in this settlement July 23, 1871. As the people were mainly Danes, after a few years it became extinct. The Danish Baptist church of Lodi was org-anized March 25, 1872. Its g-rowth was rapid, and soon it increased to a membership of o^^er forty. For more than eleven years the meeting's of the church were held in the homes of the members and in school houses. The present house of worship was dedicated early in October, 1883. Many of the members lived so far west of the usual places of meeting- that another org-anization seemed to be necessary. By mutual ag-reement a majority of the members, twenty-seven in number, were dismissed for the purpose of org-anizing* the Danish church at Daneville. Seven ministers have served as pastors of the church at Lodi, Rev. Charles Anderson, N. Tychsen, Marcus Hansen, T. O. Wold, M. Nilson, P. P. Overg-aard, and Jacob Larsen. The church is located in a thickly settled farming- com- munity. As the usual place of business and postoffice address of most of the members is Wakonda, in Jan- uary, 1898, the church chang-ed its name to the Bethel Scandinavian Baptist Church of Wakonda. Daneville. — Peter Larsen Christiansen is supposed to have been the first Danish Baptist in Dakota. He came in in 1864. Six others came a few months later. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 167 In 1872 others came from Denmark and from Racine, Wis. Some of these lived in Daneville, Turner county, and others in Lodi, Clay county. Ten of these formed the first Danish Baptist church in Lodi, March 25, 1872. In 1873 immig-ration was so rapid that by the close of the year thirty-seven Baptists lived in and near the Daneville settlement. Most of them were members of the Lodi church. The distance was so g-reat that it was thought best to have a church org-an- ization in each settlement. For this purpose the entire church met at Lodi December 31, 1873. Twenty-seven members were dismissed, with the assistance of Rev. G. W. Freeman, and they formed the organization known as the Danish Baptist church in Daneville. The organization was completed June 3, 1874, by the elec- tion of officers, including Christian Plet, as leader of their meetings. Meetings were held in the sod houses of the settlers, for there were, as yet, no school houses. By the close of the year there were thirty-nine mem- bers. About this time the proselyting work of the Seventh Day Adventists began, and the leader of their meetings and others were led astray. About this time Rev. Christian Anderson, from Clark's Grove, Minn., became pastor of both the Daneville and Lodi churches. The winter of 1875-6 was a trying period. As the result of the work of the Adventists, the Baptist church was reduced to twenty-three members. Among- those who were drawn away were the pastor and deacons. This was the period of the grasshopper raids, and all of the crops were destroyed. The few members who re- mained sought God in their distress and prayed for help, and for a pastor who would be true and faithful. In March, 1876, the church at Clark's Grove, Minn., sent Rev. L. Jacobson, whose labors w^ere greatly 168 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. blessed. After a few weeks he went away, but returned soon, bring-ing with him a young- man, Nils Tychsen, then a student at Morg-an Park, 111., who was called first as supply and then as pastor. His labors were success- ful. At the end of the year there were forty-three members. The next year, 1877, was also full of blessings. During" this year they began to build a house of wor- ship, which they first used in June, 1878. It was not fully completed until 1884. Mr. Tychsen remained on the field ten years, and then became pastor October 1, 1886, at Dell Rapids. Rev. M. Hansen settled as pas- tor at Daneville in March, 1887. During this year the church added ten acres to its church property. In 1888 a parsonage was built. In August of that year fifteen members were dismissed for the purpose of organizing the Spring Valley Danish church. In Feb- ruary, 1889, the pastor resigned, expecting to remove to another field in April. During the memorable elec- trical storm on the second day of April, a disastrous prairie fire swept over Daneville and destroyed the house of worship, parsonage and barn. The pastor, with his wife and children, barely escaped from the burning parsonage to a place of safety. One of the members of the church was burned to death. The church was now destitute of a pastor, a parson- age, and a place for holding meetings, but with new courage they rallied, and began to build a house of worship. It was dedicated November 10, 1889. In the spring of 1891, Rev. N. C. Nelson became pastor. He resigned in August, 1892, to settle at Pukwana. Six- teen members of the church living in Yankton county, were dismissed, December 30, 1892, for the purpose of organizing the church in Turkey Valley. H.M. Ander- REV. A. B. NORDBERG, 1S76-1SS7. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 169 son, of Chicag-o University, supplied the church dur- ing the summer of 1893, and settled as pastor in May, 1894. Under his labors the church has continued to prosper. Brookings. — Rev. Jacob Olsen, then pastor of the Scandinavian Baptist church of King-sbury county, was the first Scandinavian Baptist who held a relig-ious ser- vice in Brooking-s county. It was held November 7, 1882. He continued for two weeks, holding* meeting's from house to house, until no dwelling- house was larg-e enougfh to accommodate the people who attended. The meetings were then moved into Brooking-s, and held in the American Baptist church building-. It seemed as if every Scandinavian home had become more or less influenced by the preaching* of the g-ospel. As soon as the Lutherans learned that the interest was so g-reat that it might result in the baptism of several converts, and the organization of a Baptist church, in order to keep their people away from Mr. Olsen's meetings, they sent for Lutheran ministers in various localities, who surrounded him and his flock with daily special meetings. By this time, however, it was too late for them to stop the progress of the work. Eleven con- verts were baptized March 11, 1883, and on March 15, they were organized into the Norwegian Baptist church of Brookings. A movement was beg-un, without delay, to build a house of worship. It was completed and dedicated December 19, 1883. A parsonage was afterwards secured. Mr. Olsen continued to serve the church as pastor, in connection with his work in Kingsbury county, until he became state missionary for the Scan- dinavian Association in the summer of 1884. Since then the church has had three pastors. Revs. C. J. 170 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. Westerg-aard,C.W. Finwall, and J. B. Sundt. In 1893 several of the most active members removed to Ore- gon, and since then the church has had no settled pas- tor, until the return of their first pastor. Rev. Jacob Olsen, October 1, 1898. Strandburg. — The first Baptist settlers in Strand- burg- were E. M. Dahlberg and N. A. Dahlberg-, and their families, in 1880. They came from Sweden. The first meetinjaf conducted by a Baptist minister was held in January, 1882, by, Rev. J. A. H. Johnson. The church was orgfanized June 25,. 1882. Duringf nearly all of the period of its existence, the church has been without a settled pastor, but services have been reg*u- larly maintained by the two experienced laymen named above. E. M. Dahlberg is the recognized religious leader of the church. Oldham. — The Scandinavian Baptist church of Kingsbury county was organized January 25, 1882. The members were scattered over much of the county, and the places for holding religious meetings were various school houses and private dwellings. Rev. Jacob, Olsen came from Chicago, July 4, 1882, and at once became pastor of this church, serving it and also the church at Brookings until October 1, 1884. As the number of Baptists increased the name of the church was afterwards changed to Oldham. It has had four pastors. Rev. C. J. Westergaard, O. L. Hoien, and A. A. Ohrn. In 1888, this church and the American Bap- tist church at Oldham jointly erected a house of wor- ship. In September, 1897, these two church organi- zations were consolidated. Sioux Palls.— Charles Tornquist and his wife were the first Swedish Baptists in Sioux Palls. They arrived there May 15, 1881. Soon after Albert Nor- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 171 ber^ and Miss Martha Olsen came, and others followed. Rev. C. J. Johnson, pastor at Dell Rapids, was the first Scandinavian Baptist minister who visited Sioux Palls. He beg-an preaching- there in the summer of 1882, The first Swedish Baptist church of Sioux Falls was org-an- i zed May 19, 1883, by Rev. Frank Peterson and C. J. Johnson. The constituent members were Charles Tornquist and Peter Galvin and their wives, Aug-ust Johnson-, A. B. Norberg-, Olof Larson and Martha Olsen. Six others were immediately added by bap- tism. Rev. C. J. Johnson became the first pastor of the church, and remained until January, 1885. During- his pastorate a house of worship was built. It was dedicated December 21, 1884. Other pastors have been Revs. A. B. Nordberg-, J. P. Berlin, A. W. Peter- son, K. Ostlund, H. P. Peterson, and L. J. Olsen. In the intervals between pastorates, Rev. Jacob Olsen has g-reatly assisted the church. Since the org-anization of the church it has had 149 members. Of these seventy-one were received by baptism. The present number of members is fifty-seven. Sun Prairie. — The first resident Scandinavian Bap- tists in the vicinity of Sun Prairie, Miner county, were John Nilson^ C. W. Lindell and wife, Mrs. A. Liljen- berg*, Mrs. Hannah Nelson and Christine Anderson, who settled there in 1881. The first Scandinavian Baptist minister was Rev. Charles Johnson, of Sioux Falls, who visited the community and preached at different times in 1881-2. In the spring- of 1883, Rev. C. M. Widen and his wife came from Sweden. Being- an ordained Baptist minister, he beg-an to labor among- the people. The Scandinavian Baptist church of Sun Prairie was org-anized at the home of C. W. Lindell, June 3, 1883. With occasional intermissions, the 172 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. ag-greg-ate time spent as pastor by Rev. C. M. Widen was nearly seven years. The church is now without a pastor, C. W. Lindell is the chosen leader of the church. PuKWANA. — This church was org-anized by Rev. Jacob Olson, July 25, 1885. The first pastor was Rev. N. Mattson, who was ordained September 4, 1885. During- his pastorate the church g-rew rapidly. After he left the field October 1, 1891, Rev. N. C. Nelson be- came pastor in October, 1892. In the fall of 1892, a house of worship was secured which was dedicated March 11, 1893. In the fall of 1892, Rev. F. M. Andrea- son became pastor. A year later he resigned, when the work was resumed by Rev. N. C. Nelson. The church has had many trials and hindrances in its work, but its present outlook is encouraging-. In the summer of 1896 the chapel was totally destroyed by a severe wind storm. The church has not yet been able to build another. Dell Rapids (Danish). — In 1871, N. J. Norgaard took up a claim northeast of where Dell Rapids now stands. There were then no dwellers there except Indians. In 1872, N. C. Sorenson and wife, N. P. Nielson and A. Markesen came, and in 1873 the Morton Olsen family. These few Baptists began to meet for religious services. The meetings at first were gener- ally led by Morton Olsen. Though formerly identified with the Adventists, he worked and worshiped with the Baptists. In the spring of 1874, Jens Olsen and his family came among them. Being an ordained Baptist minister from the old country, he naturally took the lead of religious meetings. Later arrivals increased the number of Baptists. The first missionary who visited them was Rev. L/. Jacobson, of Clark's Grove, Minn., in 1876. The second was Rev. C. J. Johnson, in 1882, who for some time rendered service there. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 173 By previous arrangement eig'ht persons met Decem- ber 9, 1885, for the purpose of org-anizing- a Baptist church. They were P. M. Olsen, N. J. Norg-aard, Simon Nielson, J. P. Peterson, C. Sorenson, N. C. Sorenson and Sena Sorenson. Rev. Jacob Olsen led in the org^anization which was called the Scandinavian Baptist church of Moody county. These members lived north of Dell Rapids, near or across the county •line. During- the same month eleven were added to the church by experience and eight by baptism. Most of these additions were the result of special meetings conducted by Missionary Olsen. In 1886 some members then living* in Dell Rapids, and some who belonged to the American church, pro- posed the organization of a Scandinavian Baptist church in town, provided a pastor could be secured for the new org-anization and also for the church in the country. Rev. N. Tychsen, of Daneville, became pastor in Octo- ber, 1886. The Scandinavian Baptist church of Dell Rapids was organized November 2, 1886. A year later, November 2, 1887, the Scandinavian Baptist church of Moody county, having- then a membership of twenty- six, disbanded for the purpose of uniting- with the later org-anization, which, previous to the consolidation, had forty-five members. Mr. Tychsen served successfully as pastor until the close of 1892, when he removed to California. Rev. A. Carstensen became pastor in April, 1893. The next pastor was Rev. H. P. Ander- son, who settled there in December, 1895. The present pastor is Rev. A. C. Nasby. The church has a com- fortable house in Dell Rapids. As a large proportion of the members live in the country, a chapel was built for their convenience in 1888. Scandinavian Baptist Church of Spink County. — In May, 1882, S. C. Anderson and A. P. Clemenson 174 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. and their families settled in Beotia, Spink county. These two families met every Lord's day, for relig-ious services. Later a few other Baptist families came. The first Baptist sermon was preached in 1886 by Rev. S. C. Nielson. In July, 1887, several of the brethren visited the German Baptist church then existing- at Warner, Brown county, to confer with them as to the advisability of uniting- with that church. They were cordially received, biit were advised that their interests would be better served by organizing- a church among- people of their own nationality. According-ly they met, July 10, 1887, at the home of P. H. Jensen, and org-an- ized the Danish-Norweg'ian Baptist church of Spink county. The constituent members were S. C. Ander- sen, A. P. Clemenson, P. H. Jensen, and Anton Christiansen, and their wives, and Mary Olsen. A Sunday school was org-anized in April, 1888. Rev. T. O. Wold became pastor in July, 1889, but remained only three months, when he resig-ned to accept a pro- fessorship in the Dano-Norweg"ian department of the theolog-ical seminary at Morg-an Park, 111. K. P. Ham- mer served as pastor in 1890, and S. Holm in 1893. During- the long- periods when the church has had no pastor, S. C. Anderson and S. P. Jensen have accept- ably and successfully conducted relig-ious services. Lake Norden. — The first Baptist settlers along- the shore of Lake Norden, from 1880 to 1883 were A. P. Palm and John Lindell and their wives. They broug'ht with them letters of dismission from the Lannas Bap- tist church near Orebro, Nerike, Sweden. The first meeting-s were held in* the home of John Lindell, in the summer of 1881. The first Baptist sermon was preached by Rev. Jacob Olsen, in 1882. The church was organized September 17, 1888. A. P. Palm was THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 175 ordained October 12, 1888, and has continued to serve as pastor. The Sunday school was organized in 1*890. One of the laymen of this church has devoted much of his time to preaching* in Scandinavian settlements. Spring Valley— In May, 1882, Jens C. Faarup and family and J. C. Sorenson and wife, settled in Spring Valley. Finding no other Baptists there, they united with the church at Daneville, whose pastor. Rev. N. Tychsen, afterwards occupied Spring Valley as an out-station. Peter Anderson, a layman, preached every month for several years. The Spring Valley Baptist church was organized with fifteen members, November 11, 1888. In September, 1889, Rev. Lars Hanson became pastor, remaining* on the field until February 1, 1894. A house of worship, costing $1,050.00, was dedicated March 27, 1892. Rev. L. E. Larsen was called as pastor February 1, 1894, and served one year. Since he re- signed, the church has had no pastor, but student sup- plies have rendered acceptable service during the sum- mer months. Orleans. — Orleans was first settled by Scandina- vians in the spring of 1885. Erick Olsen and O. Olsen and their families were the first Baptists. A Baptist church of eight members was organized April 8, 1888. It was then called the First Swedish Baptist church of Millard. The name was afterwards changed to Orleans. In 1889, Rev. N. P. Wik came from Sweden to become its pastor, and he has continued to serve as such to the present time. The church has enjoyed several revivals, and new members have frequently been received. Baptist sentiments pervade the entire com- munity. During the last six years the church has contributed S368.42 for foreign missions, and S()75.68 for home missions and current expenses. 176 the baptist history of south dakota. Norwegian Baptist Church of Miner County, OR Berton. — On the first Sunday after Christmas, 1888, Rev. C. M. Widen, and S. H. Liljenberg- beg-an a series of meeting's in Hanson school house, Hendea township. There were only two Baptists then living' in that community, August Erickson and wife, recently from Sweden. A few families lived near there who wished for a clearer knowledg-e of the Scriptures. In attending- these meeting's they found what they soug-ht, and were g^reatly helped. Soon after meeting's were held further north, in Errickson's school house, near the Lutheran church. When the Lutherans learned that these men were Baptists, they had the school house closed ag-ainst them. Prom there they went to Berton, where some families were living- who had left the Lutheran church, and were waiting- and looking for something better. Meetings were held in their homes, and a large number were converted. In May, 1889, Rev. Jacob Olsen arid Rev. L. Hanson visited that neighborhood. They conducted several meetings and fourteen were baptized. Soon after, June 16, 1889, the Norwegian Baptist church of Miner county was organ- ized in the house of Jacob Holm. The need of a house of worship was seriously felt, but the poverty of the people seemed to make it impossible to build one. At length it was agreed by each member to set apart as a chapel fund the proceeds of one or more acres of wheat each year, until enough could be saved to pay for a church home. The plan was carried out, and a com- fortable chapel, worth $800, was dedicated November 21, 1897. Huron. — A few devoted Swedish Baptists in Huron and vicinity, desired an organization of their own. A meeting was held in the First Baptist church, Decem- REV. NILS TYCHSEN, 1876-189.^ MEMBER OF TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE, 18S3. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 177 ber 19, 1889, at which time the Swedish Baptist church of Huron was organized. Rev. A. P. Palm served as pastor about three years. As the Swedish population is small and not increasing', and it is practically impos- sible to support a pastor, it is probable that the organ- ization will not be continued beyond 1899, and that the members will become identified with the American Baptist church in Huron. Turkey Valley. — Beginning- with 1879, a few Bap- tists lived in Turkey Valley, Yankton county, who became members of the Danish church at Daneville. It was for some time an out-station of the Daneville church. Efforts to maintain a Sunday school in the early days were only partially successful, as the chil- dren were occupied during- each summer in herding- cattle. The Turkey Valley Baptist church was or- ganized February 8, 1893. P. P. Ovegaard supplied the church during' the summers of 1893-4. Peter Anderson, a lay member of the church, rendered ex- tended service as a supply. A house of worship, cost- ing $1,412.00 was built in the summer of 1894. It was dedicated October 21, 1894. P. P. Ovegaard was or- dained June 3, 1895, and served as pastor one year. Rev. P. M. Andreason was pastor six months, in 1897. Vernon. — The church at Vernon, Roberts county, was organized by Rev. Jacob Olson, June 19, 1897. A. J. Swelander served as supply for several months and during that period fifteen were baptized. O. G. Newgreen has served the church since April, 1898. Efforts will be made soon to build a chapel. Summit. — The youngest of the Scandinavian churches in the state is located at Summit, in Roberts county. It was organized largely through the services ren- dered it by A. J. Swelander, who was ordained as pastor 178 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. December 6, 1898. The church was org-anized March 13, 1898. Though nominally a Scandinavian church it is intended to meet the needs of Americans as well as Scandinavians. Services are conducted in both lan- g-uag-es, and all nationalities are represented in the membership. A house of worship has been erected which will soon be dedicated. The following- list gives the name and date of org-ani- zation of all of the Scandinavian Baptist churches in South Dakota: Big- Springs, July, 1869. Bloomingdale, October 15, 1871. Lodi, March 25, 1872. Daneville, December 31, 1873. Oldham, January 25, 1882. Strandburg-, June 25, 1882. Brookings, March 15, 1883. Sioux Falls, May 19, 1883. Sun Prairie, June 3, 1883. Pukwana, July 25, 1885. Dell Rapids, November 2, 1886. Spink County, July 10, 1887. Orleans, April 8, 1888. Lake Norden, September 17, 1888. Spring Valley, November 11, 1888. Miner County, June 16, 1889. Huron, December 19, 1889. Turkey Valley, February 8, 1893. Vernon, June" 19, 1897. Summit, March 13, 1898. In this historical review of the nineteen Scandinavian Baptist churches in South Dakota, it will be observed that four of them were organized early in the first THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 179 decade; Big- Spring's in 1869, Blooming-dale in 1871, Lodi in 1872, and Daneville in 1873. There was an in- terval of over ei^ht years before the fifth church was organized. This long- period of seeming- inactivity may have been due in part to the poverty of the people, the frequent crop failures and g-rasshopper scourg-es, and the finan- cial depression throug-hout the country. Another cause of this long delay was the lack of a superintend- ing missionary, to visit and encourage the churches. But the principal thing that operated against their progress was the apostasy of some of the pastors and a large proportion of the members of the few Scandi- navian churches then in existence, on account of the pernicious activity of Seventh Day Adventists, in dis- seminating their views concerning the observance of the seventh day of the week instead of the first. Mat- ters became so serious during the years 1874-5-6, that the existence of these churches was threatened. These Adventist missionaries were Scandinavians, and the greatest injury to our cause was done among- the people of their own nationality. The four Scandi- navian Baptist churches were rent and torn for a time, and disruption seemed to be inevitable. In this criti- cal situation of affairs Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., district secretary, made arrangements to have Rev. P. H. Damm, of Iowa, and Rev. Theodore Hessel, of Nebras- ka, both Scandinavians, visit these churches and en- deaver to stay the contagion. The latter was continued on the field for some time. Their labors were finally successful. Some were reclaimed and many were ex- cluded. One of the leaders in this disaffection, a former pastor of the Lodi and Daneville churches, after he saw his serious error, brooded and grieved over his 180 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. wrong- doing- until he thought it was unpardonable, and in his despair he took his own life. The churches were saved, but it was long before they could fully re- cover from the injury received. With the incoming- tide of immigration which fol- lowed the rapid building of railroad lines in 1879 and 1880, were many Scandinavian Baptists. There were soon many new settlements of Swedes, Norwegians and Danes. In some of these there were enougfh of Baptists to call for special missionary work, and render necessary the appointment of a Scandinavian mission- ary. A leader was needed. He was already on the held, serving as pastor of one of the first Scandinavian churches organized after the eight years of waiting. In addition to his work as a pastor, he had shown that he possessed the qualifications needed in a superin- tending- missionary, by the itinerant missionary work which he had done in Brooking's, Hamlin, and other counties. The man for the emergency was Rev. Jacob Olsen. He was chosen as Scandinavian missionary for South Dakota, by the Scandinavian Baptist conference, in the summer of 1884, and continued to serve as such until October 1, 1898. As he has been so actively engaged in missionary work for many years, the fol- lowing brief sketch of his early life is here given: Jacob Olsen was born in Bierkland, near Haugusend, Norway, February 10, 1850. When he was fifteen years old he went to sea. He made rapid advancement in seamanship, and at the age of seventeen, he ranked as an able seaman on one of the largest Norwegian ships. When a little past twenty-one years old, he landed at Philadelphia, March 11, 1871. He was then third mate on the Norwegian ship Hobert. On that day he accompanied the captain up to the city. As he KEY. JACOB OLSEN, 1S82-189Q. SCANDINAVIAN MISSIONARY 18S4-1898. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 181 and the captain stood on the dock, above which an American flag- was floating-, Olsen said: "I am going- to take the oath of loyalty to the stars and stripes." He left the ship and came west to Buffalo, N. Y. He beg-an sailing" on the lakes in the summer of 1871, and continued four years, having- risen to the position of first mate. He was married April 11, 1873, to Clara Roundquist, who was born in Sweden. In 1877 he was converted, and became a member, and soon after a deacon, of the Danish-Norweg-ian Baptist church in Chicag'o. He spent two years — 1880-81 — in the Dano-Norweg-ian department of the theolog-ical sem- inary, at Morg-an Park, 111. In 1882 he came with his family to Dakota, arriving- at Lake Preston July 4. He entered at once upon the work of a missionary pastor, serving- the Norweg-ian Baptist church of Kingsbury county, and also the Norweg-ian Baptist church at Brooking-s, which he org-anized March 15, 1883. He was ordained at Sioux Palls November 2, 1882, during* the first annual meeting- of the state convention. Since his election, in 1884, as Scandinavian missionary, he has proved to be a wise and careful leader. The pro- g-ress of the work among- the Scandinavian people has been g-ratifying-, and new churches have been org-anized in various portions of the state. After fourteen years of continuous and faithful service, he closed his labors October 1, 1898. Thoug-h specially devoted to the interests of the Swedes, Norweg-ians and Danes, he sustained cordial and intimate relations with American Baptists. He has been held in the hig-hest esteem among- them, and "his praise is in all the churches." As an oflicer of the state convention, and a member of its board of manag-ers, and of its executive committee, his co-workers long- ag-o learned to appreciate his worth, 182 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. - and to love him for his high christian character, his genial spirit, and his broad and generous sympathy with every good work. In the councils of the denomi- nation he was always efficient, and in the homes of the people he has always been a welcome guest. Cordial welcome has been given to his successor. Rev. Andrew Swartz. Having been for several years a pastor in the state, he is familiar with the field and its needs, and possesses the qualifications necessary for the respon- sible position to which he has been called. In October or November, 1874, the Scandinavian Baptists organized a missionary conference at Lodi. This was not intended to serve the purpose of an asso- ciation, but gave them an opportunity to meet for the consideration, in their own language, of missionary and other topics. It answered a useful purpose, unifying the work and aims of the three nationalities repre- sentd in the organization, and binding them together in a bond that yet remains unbroken. The early churches became members of the Southern Dakota Association. Churches further north, that were organized in later years, identified themselves with the Sioux Valley Association. This affiliation of Ameri- can and Scandinavian churches continued until the number of the latter had so increased as to justify an organization of their own. They then utilized their old missionary conference, which was still in existence, and in 1886 it became the Scandinavian Baptist Associ- ation of South Dakota. In this association there are now nineteen churches, designated according to the nationality most largely represented in each. Of these, nine are Swedish churches — Big Springs, Bloomingdale, Sioux Palls, Orleans, Huron, Ivake Norden, Vernon, Strandburg THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 183 and Sun Prairie; five are Danish churches — Daneville, Lodi, Dell Rapids, Spring- Valley and Turkey Valley; two are Norwegian — Brooking-s and Miner County (or Burton); and three are Danish-Norwegian — Spink County, Pukwana and Summit. There is no other state in which all of these three nationalities work tog-ether harmoniously and successfully in one org-ani- zation. They are closely united in every movement intended to promote the welfare of their people, and advance all the interests of the state, and they are in hearty sympathy and co-operation with their brethren in the American Baptist churches. . These nineteen Scandinavian Baptist churches have 897 members, thir- teen houses of worship, and three parsonag-es. The total valuation of their church property is $19,500. In addition to the number of members stated above, in many localities there are Scandinavian Baptists who are members of American Baptist churches. The natural tendency of Scandinavian Lutherans, when truly converted, is to identify themselves with the Baptists. As a general rule they are in fullest sym- pathy with every department of evangelical work. They are characterized by an earnest devotion to the church and all its interests, deep spirituality and un- stinted liberality, especially to the cause of missions. Church discipline is carefully maintained, and there is always manifested a parental and brotherly watchful- ness over the daily lives of their members. An intense- ly devotional spirit pervades their meetings, and they are responsive to the calls of duty. Their pastors are earnest, usually well educated, and conscientiously de- voted to their calling. The ratio of increase in the number of church organi- zations and members is relatively larger than is usual 184 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. among American Baptists. They unselfishly foster their own interests. Naturally their field of operations is bounded by lines of nationality, but many others have been inspired and helped by them. They g-uard carefully ag-ainst the growth of grievances among brethren, and in the settlement of difficulties they manifest wisdom and ability. Here is an illustration of tact and sound judgment, not always exhibited by ecclesiastical councils. On one occasion one of the Scan- dinavian churches became involved in a serious quarrel. It had grown to such proportions that it became neces- sary for a council to meet, and try to restore harmony and peace. The council met at the seat of war, but instead of listening to statements of grievances from the contending factions, after earnestly exhorting them to manifest a Christ-like spirit, and settle their own difficulties among themselves, the council left them to themselves, and withdrew to another place to spend the time in earnest prayer for those who had become estranged from each other. It was not long' until the members of the council were summoned to the church. On arriving there they were informed that the warring- factions were reconciled, and that all roots' of bitterness had been removed. This is a model plan for settling church quarrels and grievances among brethren, and it could be wisely followed on many occasions. The Scandinavians are recognizing the inevitable tendency of foreign born people, who come to this coun- try to establish homes for themselves and their chil- dren, to become Americanized in languag'eand customs. They are generally accepting the fact that the younger generation, most of whom were born in this country, will identify themselves with those with whom they have common business, social and religious associa- THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 185 tions. The necessity for maintaining" their own church org-anizations still exists, but in the course of time separate org^anizations will g'radually diminish in num- ber. A movement in this direction has been inaug-u- rated. At Oldham, there existed, for several years, two Baptist churches, one Scandinavian and the other American. The former was what was orig-inally known as the Scandinavian Baptist church of King-sbury county. Recently, by the mutual and hearty ag-ree- ment of these two churches they were consolidated, and hereafter an Eng-lish speaking- pastor will be the spiritual leader of the people in that locality. CHAPTER XVIII. GERMAN AND RUSSIAN BAPTISTS. Among' the foreign born citizens of South Dakota, the nationalities most largely represented are the Scandinavians, who according to the last census num- bered 31,373, and the Germans and German Russians, of whom there were 33,561. Of the native born inhab- itants, about 80,000 were born of foreig-n parents. Of this number fully one-third are of German descent. Among- the Baptists of other nationalities, the Scan- dinavians were the first to organize a church, as in the case of the Swedish Baptist church established at Big- Spring-s early in July, 1869. Among the early German settlers in Dakota were some German Baptists, scat- tered here and there in the new colonies. Being- unable to speak or understand the English language, compara- tively few of them united with American Baptist churches. In order to minister to their spiritual needs, and to evangelize others. Rev. J. Wendt came from Ministrita, Minnesota, in 1875. He found several Ger- man Baptists in a German settlement at Emanuel Creek, near Tyndall. His appearance among them was hailed with great satisfaction. Many meetings were held, and the people were greatly interested and ben- efited. Some of them went thirty miles and more, with ox teams, to hear the gospel preached in their own lan- guage. A number of persons were converted. As a result of this movement the first German Baptist church in Dakota was organized at Emanuel Creek, April 26, 1876. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 187 Early in 1877, a colony of German-Russians came to Yankton county. A Baptist church was organized and a chapel was built. In a year or two most of these people removed to Bon Homme and Hutchinson coun- ties, and the identity of the church was lost. Some German Baptists having- settled at Big- Stone City, in the northeastern portion of the state, a church was organized there, May 9, 1880, under the leadership of Rev. J. Engler. Rev. J. D. Menger succeeded him as pastor in 1881. In 1881 and 1882 Rev. F. Reichle and Rev. J. Croeni came as missionaries to several of the southern counties, and labored, especially at Yankton, Scotland, Bridgewater and Plum Creek. They at first established mission stations at these places, since the number available as members at each station was not large enough to organize churches. The station at Plum Creek was organized into a church, June 9, 1883. The German church at Madison was organized May 1, 1885, and Rev. W. Achterberg became its first pastor. After this period the organization of churches was more rapid. When German Baptists came to establish homes in German settlements, they promptly began missionary operations by organizing Sunday schools, and holding meetings in their primitive dwellings to which all of their neighbors were invited. Rev. B. Matzke and Rev. O. Olthoff were pioneer workers on several important fields. The former or- ganized the churches at Eureka, June 16, and Warner, July 20, 1886, and one or two others now located in North Dakota. The latter labored in some of the coun- ties further south, and organized the following- churches: Emery, February 28, 1886; Salem, Decem- ber 4, 1890; Avon (formerly Tyndall), December 15, 1890; and Lennox, afterwards called Germantown, and 188 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. now known as Chancellor, July 15, 1882. The organi- zation known as the Yankton and Scotland church was broug-ht about throug-h the labors of Rev. T. J. Schaefer, who was ordained at the time of the recog-ni- tion services held November 22, 1892. After a few years the church at Warner became extinct on account of crop failures, and the consequent removal of the members to other localities. The others named have become strong- churches, each having from two to six flourishing' stations. This is a common custom among- German Baptist churches. After the Indian reservations were thrown open to settlement, a number of Germans located in and near Fairfax, Gregory county, west of the Missouri river, and near the Nebraska line. Rev. Claus Regier was sent there as missionary, and a church was organized at Fairfax, June 30, 1894. Along the southern border of his field, across the state line in Nebraska, he organ- ized a church at Napier, December 14, 1896. A house of worship was dedicated there June 9, 1897. The church at Parkston was organized January 13, 1894. The church at Eureka had grown to such proportions that it had twelve stations in McPherson and Campbell counties, and across the line in North Dakota. A divi- sion became necessary. The church at Mound City was organized December 29, 1897, and it has charg-e of six important stations in Campbell county. The youngest of the German churches was organized at Choteau Creek, October 9, 1898. The following list gives the name, location, and date of organization of all the German and (rerman-Russian Baptist churches in South Dakota: Emanuel Creek, April 26, 1876. Big Stone City, May 9, 1880. Plum Creek, June 9, 1883. KEV. AUGUST LIEBia. THIRTY YEAKS A MISSIONARY AMONG THE STUNDISTS IN RUSSIA. SEVERAL TIMES IMPRISONED, AND FINALLY BANlSllED. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 189 Madison, May 1, 1885. Emery, February 24, 1886. Eureka, June 16, 1886. Warner, July 20, 1886. Salem, December 4, 1890. Avon, December 15, 1890. Chancellor, July 15, 1892. Yankton and Scotland, November 22, 1892. Parkston, January 13, 1894. Fairfax, June 30, 1894. Napier, November 14, 1896. Mound City, December 29, 1897. Choteau Creek, October 9, 1898. The following- list gives the date of the dedication of most of the houses of worship belong-ing- to German Baptist churches, with the estimated value of each. It is not complete, as several of the churches have not reported the chapels belong-ing- to some of their stations: Plum Creek ^ October 17, 1883 $500 Flumi^reek, ^ j^^^^^^ ^393 gOQ Madison, November 21, 1886 2,000 Emanuel Creek, May 26, 1889 800 Eureka, October 10, 1889 - 1,200 Big- Stone City, July 6, 1890 1,500 Emery, June 20, 1891 --.- 1,500 Tyndall, July 5, 1891 ... 1,700 Eng-el, July 19, 1891 400 Avon, November 22, 1891 700 Menno, November, 1891 . 800 Bridgewater, June 19, 1892 - 2,000 Scotland, May 21, 1893 1,000 Salem, September 10, 1893 1,625 Chancellor, December 23, 1894 . . 1,500 Napier, June 9, 1897 800 Fairfax, 1899 --- 800 190 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Prom the foreg^oing" sketch it will be seen that the German Baptists have fifteen church org-anizations, all established within twenty-two years, and nearly all within the last fifteen years. During- these years they have built twenty-two houses of worship and seven par- sonag-es. The total valuation of church property is over $25,000. The number of Sunday schools is 24. The last reported membership is 1,280. This is more than one-fifth of the whole number of Baptists in South Dakota. This is a gratifying- record of growth, and it compares most favorably with the rate of progress made in older eastern states. In Pennsylvania, where missionary work among the Germans began fifty-seven years ago, they have only twelve German Baptist churches. The growth in South Dakota has been much greater in only a little more than one-third of the time. In 1887 these churches raised $1,800 for mis- sionary and other benevolent objects. The members are generally beginners in this new country, and they have had to bear the burdens of poverty. The work of establishing these churches and sup- porting them has involved greater self-sacrifice than is usually experienced in older states. Driving long dis- tances over the open prairies, through the heat of sum- mer and the cold of wifiter, often through blinding storms, and holding meetings in the stifling atmos- phere of a densely packed dwelling house or chapel, these were among the difficulties to be overcome. Such men as Wendt, Reichle, Croeni, Menger, Matzke, Olthoff, Mueller, Weisle, Penski, GoUing, Regier, Schaefer, and others, will long be remembered as faithful pioneer workers among the Germans in South Dakota. In the work that has been necessary to reach present results, grateful acknowledgments are made of THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 191 the sympathy and co-operation of their American brethren in the state convention, the assistance ren- dered by the state superintendent of missions, and the aid received from the American Baptist Home Mission Society. While generally familiar with the work of the Ger- man Baptists of the state, the writer has been g-reatly assisted in preparing- the foregoing sketch by the thoughtful kindness of Rev. A. D. Tilgner, one of the representative German pastors. The oldest survivor of the German pioneer Baptist ministers yet remaining in South Dakota, is Rev. O. Olthoff, who has kindly furnished the following outline of work accomplished through his instrumentality or under his observation, since 1884: In the year 1884, when a great many Ostfriesland Germans from Iowa and other states settled in South Dakota, I felt the time had come when South Dakota ought to be conquered for Christ. Accordingly, in April of that year I came with my family. Two weeks previous tw^o Baptist families had already come. We settled at Emery, in Hanson county. About eleven miles southwest was Bridgewater church, now called Plum Creek, and Scotland, now Immanuel Creek. The members of these churches lived in a district about fifty miles in circumference... My plan was to work up the field north and northeast of Emery. The church of Emery had its membership scattered to within six- teen miles of Madison, so that at present anyone going from Madison in a southwesterly direction may travel nearly one hundred and twenty miles, and still remain among German Baptists. In this district we have now six churches, namely, Madison, Salem, Emery, Plum Creek, Immanuel Creek and Germantown (or Chan- cellor). At first our number was very small, the four members mentioned at the beginning, and my wife and myself. After I had preached eleven months seven 192 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. souls professed conversion, and six of these desired baptism. On April 5th, 1885, these six were buried with Christ by baptism. It was a day of g-reat rejoic- ing- for us, as it was the ingathering- of the first fruits of our labors. February 24th, 1886, we were organized as a church, with sixteen members. The recog-nition services and my ordination took place on the same day. Up to this date we had still been members of the church in Apling-ton, la. The pastor of that church was Rev. G. C. Eng-lemann, who represented the church on this occasion. The church at Emery soon beg-an leng-thening- her cords, and even before we org-anized I had been preach- ing- in McCook and Turner counties. I received no certain salary from the members nor support from the Home Mission Society. Still the work, thoug-h hard in one sense, was a source of joy, as the little band of memlbers carried me, as it were, on the hands of player, and did all in their power when help was needed. Warring-ton, now called Monroe, became the first sta- tion of the Emery church. On December 23d, 1885, I preached there for the first time, and at first the meet- ing-s were well attended. But these people were much opposed to Biblical baptism, nevertheless we had the pleasure of seeing- seven follow Christ in baptism, and the word of God is g-aining- ground.. Afterward we succeeded in opening a Sunday school. Since then other stations of the Emery church have been opened, including Salem, Avon and Lennox. I am sorry that Monroe has not made better progress, but hope it will soon grow into a church. Our brother E. E. Johnson, the first one baptized on this field, rejoices now over the souls who were then awakened and have found peace, and were baptized March 23d, 1893. It seems that showers of blessings are at hand. The members at this place are wide awake and earnestly praying, "Thy kingdom come." Avon became the second station of the Emery church. In 1886, brother and sister Edyard and sister Browen THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 193 and myself made a trip to Bon Homme county, where we had some Baptist families who were formerly mem- bers of the church at Apling-ton, la. We found these members hard at work for the Master. Quite a num- ber of children and grown people met tog-ether for Sunday school and church services. In November, 1886, these members were received in the Emery church. I found it impossible to visit this station oftener than every eight weeks. In the meantime brother Schoeder took charge of the work until Febru- ary, 1888, when he moved to Emery. His place was filled by brother W. Van Geopen. Thus the Lord helped us wonderfully, as brother Van Geopen had helped me in my work in Germany, also in Illinois, and now in my absence acted as substitute. When this station numbered twenty-four members they saw fit to organize a church. The organization and recognition took place December 15, 1890. This young church at Avon, formerly called the German church of Tyndall, has now sixty-four members. When the church saw the necessity of building a house of worship, there were willing hearts and hands, and it was built in 1891. Our chapel there cost about $1,200. In 1892 I was per- mitted to baptize eight converts, later on four young men, and others at later periods. Salem, in McCook county, became the third station. At the organization of the church at Emery, we made the acquaintance of brother Stark, delegate of the American church at Freedom. Brother Stark informed us that there were five German sisters besides himself in that district, and that there were many Germans who ought to be looked after. He requested the church at Emery to give me a week's leave of absence for this work. This was in March, 1887. We did some house to house visitation, and I preached twice on Sunday, and on the following Monday and Tuesday evenings. Wednesday night we had a cottage prayer meeting in the house of non-members. The family consisted of the father, mother and two sons. The younger son was much opposed to conversion, but that same night li 194 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. he was under deep conviction and soug'ht and. found peace. The other members of that family followed, and in that nig-ht this whole family and four others who had met with us found peace and rejoiced in the Lord. Six weeks later these new converts came to Emery to be baptized. On that day, the 29th of May, 1887, the church at Emery extended the hand of fellowship to fourteen new members. Eight were received by bap- tism and six by letter. This station at Salem I could only visit six times in the year, as my work was g^etting^ too great, and extended over too larg*e a field. On December 4, 1890, this station also org-anized and was recognized as a church, with a membership of twenty- four. As there was no one found to take charge of this field, it was still supplied from Emery. In September, 1891, Rev. E. Wolf took charge of the work. The church then numbered twenty-nine. Rev. A. Mar- quardt became his successor. The church now has no pastor. Lennox became the fourth station. In 1889 eighteen persons around Lennox applied for membership in the Emery church. As the whole community is composed of people from Ostfriesland, Germany, it was thought best that the church take up this field, as the writer is himself an Ostfreisian. My church allowed me one Sunday per month for this work. In 1892 this station also organized as a church, and the recognition took place July 15, 1882, with twenty-eight members. I was permitted afterwards to baptize other new converts. Others are near the Kingdom. It is a time of refresh- ing for the church in Lennox, afterwards called Ger- mantown, and now Chancellor. Another Sunday school has been started near Lennox. We have four stations where we have preaching on Sunday, but the main station is best attended by strangers. My health was very poor for a whole year, and the work of supplying Emery and stations at Monroe, Avon and Lennox became too much for me, and I requested the church at Emery to get another pastor, promising to help until someone should be found. Brother A. P. I5rauns assisted me three months, from September to THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 195 December, 1892. During this time my health beg^an to improve, and the church at Lennox g-ave me a call as their pastor alone, but Avon insisted that I remain their pastor also, so I continued for a time to supply these two churches. Emery is a thriving- town with a thrifty German population. The church has a house of wor- ship 26x40 feet, which is well filled every Sunday. To the Lord be the g'lory for the blessing-s He has bestowed upon us in the past years. From the small beg-inning- of my report, four churches have sprung- up and other stations, which justify us in looking- hope- fully to the future. As has been stated the number of German and Rus- sian Baptist churches in South Dakota is fifteen. The number would be larg-er if American plans of organiza- tion were adopted. Each church has its central head- quarters, with several outlying- stations, varying- from two or three to six or more in number. At one time the Eureka church had twelve different stations. The number of members at these stations is often larg-e, but they are usually held as stations or branches of the parent church, until they are strong- enoug-h to be self- supporting, when they are urg-ed to org-anize as sep- arate churches. At some of these stations chapels have been built, and the result is that in some cases each church has at least two or three houses of wor- ship. The parental oversig-ht of the mother church is such that some of the new churches, when org-anized, have their relig-ious home already prepared for them. Another result of this policy is that only a small per- centag-e of German Baptist churches ask for or receive assistance from the American Baptist Home Mission Society, in the support of their pastors. If any assist- ance is needed, it is more frequently a g-ift or a loan from the church edifice fund, to aid in building- houses of worship. 106 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. The following- list g'ives the names of most of the stations maintained by each church. Beside the house of worship owned by the parent church, each station marked ('^) has a chapel: Emanuel Creek. — Tyndall", Danzig--. Big Stone City. — Hollo way", Minn. Plum Creek.— Bridg-ewater", Menno'"', Alexandria""". Madison. — Parnsworth, Holland, Wentworth, Ro- mona. Emery. — Monroe, and three other stations. Eureka.— Spring- Creek""', Dolzer, Stein, Martel, Long- Lake. Salem.— Canova. Chancellor. — Lennox, and two other stations.' Choteau Creek.— Pour or five stations. Parkston. — Priedensthar^', Dry Creek""", Schulz, Tripp. Pairfax. — Kaul, Wetzal. Mound City. — Pilg-erheim"^, Kramlich, Matthews, Bender, Weisenburg-er. More than one-third of the German speaking- citizens of this state came from Russia. Nearly all of them are the descendants of the south German people, who, sev- eral g-enerations ag-o, during- the reig-n of the Empress Catherine, were encourag-ed to settle in southern Rus- sia. They were needed there because they were fam- iliar with many of the arts of which the Russian peas- ants were ig-norant. As they helped to develope the resources and revenue of the empire, their intense relig-ious convictions, and simple Christian manner of living-, which were so different from the cold formalism of the established state relig-ion, the Greek church, were at first overlooked, but later Russian rulers per- secuted them without mercy. They carried with them KEV. O. OLTHOFF. 1SS4-.899. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 197 from Germany their relig'ion, and their only rule of faith and practice, the Bible. They were active in their efforts to spread the Christian faith among- their Russian neighbors. They met for prayer and confer- ence at stated times and places, called sfioidor, hence the name which soon came to be applied to them. Stun- d?sts. The lowest estimate of the number of Stundists now in Russia is 250,000. A large proportion of these are Baptists. They are intensely in earnest in holding- and disseminating their relig-ious opinions. They are so far in advance of the unthinking- and ig-norant native Russian serf, that their superiority in belief and life long- ag-o aroused the bitter hatred of the authorities of the state church. The relentless persecution of these people has called out the sympathy of Christian people in Kurope and America. It is not. surprising- that thousands of Stundists have fled from oppression in Russia to the enjoyment of relig"ious freedom in the United States. Many of them are in South Dakota. A larg-e number of these are in Russian or German-Russian Baptist churches. During all of the g-eneration^ of their sojourn in Russia, they retained the knowledg-e and use of the lang-uag-e of their fatherland. Relig-ious services conducted in the Ger- man languag-e- are therefore understood, not only by the Germans, but also by their German-Russian breth- ren. On numerous occasions the author has had oppor- tunities to study the relig-ious life and devotion of these g'odly people. While no long-er compelled to worship God in secret, at the risk of imprisonment, they still maintain their long--accustomed simplicity of living- and intense relig-ious devotion. In Russia all attempts to break their spirit and compel them to renounce their faith were in vain, and here "there are none to molest or make them afraid." 198 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. One of their pastors, Rev. August Liebig-, was for many years a missionary among- the Stundists of Rus- sia. He was remarkably successful, thoug-h he endured innumerable hardships, was several times imprisoned, and was finally banished from Russia. Soon after his coming- to America, and his settlement in South Dakota, the writer was invited to join with him in the services at the dedication of one of their houses of worship. An immense cong-reg-ation assembled, many more than could find even room to stand in the building-. Many of them drove with their families from thirty to fifty miles across the prairies, to once more see and hear this faithful servant of God. It was throug-h his instrumentality that they were converted and baptized, from ten to twenty years before, in Russia, the meet- ing's being- held secretly, in out-of-the-way dwelling-.s, and the baptisms administered in retired places in the darkness of the nig-ht, to avoid being- interrupted, or put in prison, by the relentless officials of a cruel des- potism. It was interesting- to study the faces of these people as they once more heard the voice of their former leader, and were contrasting- their chang-ed condition from relig-ious intolerance to relig-ious liberty. An intellig-ent and commendable zeal characterizes the work among- the Germans and Russians of the state. They are making- encourag-ing- prog-ress. They are very. particular in the reception of new members, watchful in oversig-ht, and strict in discipline, yet they increase relatively more rapidly than American churches. The most cordial relations exist between them and their American brethren. The last reported membership in their churches is twelve hundred and eig-hty. CHAPTER XIX. ASSOCIATIONS. SOUTHERN DAKOTA ASSOCIATION. The first Baptist house of worship in Dakota Terri- tory was dedicated at Vermillion, June 4, 1872. On the following- day the first Baptist association was org-an- ized, by pastors and delegates from nine churches, com- prising- all of the Baptist churches in the territory. Of these churches six were American — Vermillion, Elk Point, Yankton, Leroy, Lodi, and Canton; two were Swedish — Big- Springs and Bloomingdale; and one Danish — Lodi. With the exception of Chaplain G. D. Crocker, at Port Sully, all of the Baptist ministers in the territory were present: Revs. G. W. Freeman, E. H. Hurfbutt, J. J. Mclntire, J. H. Young, J. L. Coppoc, P. A. Ring, and J. Peterson. The last two were Swedes. The total membership of these nine churches was one hundred and fifty-seven. The following officers were elected: moderator. Rev. G. W. Freeman, general missionary; secretary, Martin J. Lewis, Vermillion; treasurer. Deacon M. D. Weston, Elk Point; corresponding secretary. Rev. E. H. Hurl- butt, Vermillion. The constitution adopted was broad and comprehensive. Though a little band, in a new country, the organization put itself on record as favor- ing heartilyall of the benevolent objects of thedenomina- tion, and pledging to them active sympathy and financial 200 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. support. In that day of small thing's, the need of lay- ing* the foundation for Christian education was care- fully considered. The committee on education, of which Rev. J. J. Mclntire was chairman, presented a report which was adopted, urg-ing- the importance of taking- immediate steps for the establishing- of an institution of learning*. During* the first few years the needs of the g-reat field, g-radually opening-, received earnest consideration, and at the annual meeting- in 1877, it was decided, as an association, to aid at least one charch each year, in the building- of a house of wor- ship. At this anniversary g-rateful recog-nition is g-iven of the org-aniz;ation of woman's mission circles, which were beg-inning- to prove a helpful ally in the prosecu- tion of m,issionary work. In 1880, the committee on obituaries record the death, at Goodwin, of Rev. L. Ross, ag-ed sixty-nine years. He had been for many years a pastor in Minne- sota and but a little while before his death he came to Dakota, in poor health, for a home among- his chil- dren. This is the first mentioned death among- the Baptist ministry in the territory. The appeals, sev- eral times repeated, for the appointment of a Sunday school missionary and colporteur are now answered by the appointment of Mr. Geo. T. Johnson. In view of the. immense field[~now covered by the association, a division was considered and approved. When the association was org-anized in 1872, the nine churches then existing- were mainly in or near the valley of the Missouri river. Ten years later the num- ber of churches belong-ing- to the association had in- creased to twenty-two, including- Watertown and Good- win, extending- north nearly two hundred miles. Sev- eral new churches^were so far distant that they were THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 201 still unassociated. The total reported membership of the association was 679. The time had come for a division. The association, in 1881, recommended such action, and proposed that a line drawn due west to the Missouri river, beg^inning" with the north boundary of the second tier of townships in Minnehaha county, be the dividing- line between the southern Dakota associa- tion, and the proposed new association. Another matter of importance at this annual meeting- was the appointment of a' committee of eleven brethren, to confer with a similar committee, appointed at a Baptist camp meeting-, and preliminary org-anization of a state convention, held at Lake Madison in July, 1881. At the first meeting- of the Southern Dakota Associa- tion, following- the division in 1882, the number of churches belong-ing- to it was fifteen, with a membership of 601. With the addition of new churches and increase in membership, it g-rew until it had, in 1893, twenty-three churches and 1,112 members. During- that year a re-construction of all the associations was made and five new ones were formed. This org-aniza- tion, which still retains its old name, was then reduced to twelve churches and 798 members. Since 1893, it has had only one addition to its churches, but its mem- bership has increased to 1,098. The twenty-fifth anni- versary of the orig-inal org-anization was held at Ver- million in June, 1896. It was an occasion of unusual interest. At the historical session historical addresses were delivered by Rev. J. E. Rockwood, who org-anized the Vermillion church, February 16, 1868; Rev. J. J. Mclntire, Rev. T. M. Shanafelt, Rev. R. N. Van Doren, and others, and a history of the association was pre- sented by Rev. T. M. Coffey. 202 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. SIOUX VALLEY ASSOCIATION. By previous arrang-ement a meeting- of pastors and other deleg-ates, representing- sixteen churches, most of them new org-anizations, was held at Brooking-s, June 9-11, 1882, for the purpose of forming- a new association. Rev. Edward Ellis led in the work of org-anization. It was called the Sioux Valley Baptist Association. Its first officers were Rev. Walter Ross, moderator, and Rev..F. H. Newton, secretary. Its membership at the beg-inning- w^as 275. It occupied an immense field, reaching- Bouth as far as Madison and Dell Rapids, westward -to Huron, and included all the territory north. It was a most important missionary field, and the association did not neg-lect its mission. New churches Avere added to it, and most of the churches comprising- it g-rew, until in ten years from its org-ani- zation, it had on its roll twenty-three churches, with 1,017 members. It continued to exist under its orig-i- nal name, until the g-eneral re-org-anization of associa- tions in 1893. JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION. Almost immediately after the organization of the Sioux Valley Association, in 1882, it became evident that another association must soon be formed further north. Among- its constituent churches were Baptist churches as far north as Aberdeen, Ordway, and Big- Stone City. Other churches soon came into being- in the northern counties, and some of the counties near the Missouri river. With the hearty approval of the Sioux Valley association, and its benediction on some of the northern churches that were dismissed, under the leadership of g-eneral missionary Ellis, an associa- tion was org-anized October 10-11, 1884, at Columbia, in connection with the dedication services of the Columbia THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 203 Baptist church. A constitution was adopted, commit- tees were appointed, and the following", officers were elected: Moderator, Rev. C. H. Woods, Columbia; secretary, Rev. E. M. Bliss, Aberdeen; treasurer, Deacon Wm. P. Brown, Ellendale. Five churches only were represented in this org'anization. Their member- ship was not reported. Insufficient notice had been given of the proposed meeting*, and the movement was not a success. The Columbia church soon after became extinct, and its excellent house of worship was secured by another denomination. The organization beg-un at Columbia in October, 1884, adopted as its name the James River Baptist Associa- tion. It soon went into a state of suspended animation. Efforts to arouse it failed until January 1-2, 1886. Through the active efforts of Rev. P. M. Horning and others, some of the churches were led to send delegates to Aberdeen, at the time of the dedication of the new Baptist house of worship in that city. Fourteen churches were represented by delegates or letters. Their total membership was 291. The following officers were elected: Moderator, Rev. C. C. Marston, Beulah; secretary. Rev. P. M. Horning', Blunt; treasurer. Dr. O. M. Heustis, Aberdeen. . Sermons. were preached, several addresses were delivered, some good resolutions were adopted, and the association adjourned, to meet at Ellendale, June 15, 1886. No meeting- was held. The association was dead. After the resignation of Rev. Edward Ellis there was no one to take the g-eneral oversig-ht of missionary work for nearly four years, until the present state superintendent of missions came to South Dakota, early in 1888. Some of the pastors took a fostering- care of neighboring pastorless * churches, but on 204 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. account of necessary financial retrenchment there were fewer laborers on the field, and many were dis- courag^ed. He endeavored to pick up the lines of work over the entire field. On investig'ating- the condition of thing-s in the northern part of South Dakota, he found only two or three pastors, and several weak churches without leaders. There was a memory of an associ- ation that had once existed, but the churches and pas- tors knew little or nothing* of each other. He made arrang-ements for the churches, including- four or five new ones, to send delegates to a meeting held at Aber- deen, September 5-6, 1888. The meeting* was well attended, new interest was awakened, the old name was resumed, and on the recommendation of the super- intendent of missions, instead of a new association, it was agreed to reg*ard it as a resurrection and continu- atioa of the old organization. Ten churches were rep- resented, with a membership of 276. The association continued a vigforous existence, with interesting and profitable annual meeting-s, until the g-eneral reorg-ani- zation of the associations of the state in 1893. At that time it included fourteen churches, with 394 members. GERMAN ASSOCIATION. An association representing- the people of any special race or lang-uage cannot be org-anized along geog-raph- ical lines. The first few churches among the Germans and German-Russians of Dakota were scattered over the territory. They were too far apart to successfully maintain an association. Occasionally some would be identified, temporarily, with one or more of the Amer- ican associations. After 1884 the number of churches among- these people increased more rapidly, and a Ger- man Baptist association — or conference, as they term it — was organized June 17, 1887, at Plum Creek, near THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 205 Bridg-e water. For several years it included all the German and Russian Baptist churches in both South Dakota and North Dakota. Since 1894 the association includes only their churches in South Dakota. Their annual meetings are always largely attended, full of enthusiasm, intensely devotional and spiritual, and continue three and four days, or even longfer. All lines of business are carefully attended to, but devo- tional meeting-s and preaching- services are numerous. In connection with the annual meeting's of their associ- ation a pastor's conference is usually held. They also hold semi-annual meeting's. They now have fifteen churches, with a membership of twelve hundred and eig-hty. SCANDINAVIAN ASSOCIATION. At the org-anization of the Southern Dakota Associ- ation in 1872, three of the nine churches composing- it were Scandinavian. As Scandinavian churches were org-anized in later years, they identified themselves with this association, and some of them, after 1882, with the Sioux Valley Association. In 1874 the Scan- dinavian Baptists org-anized a missionary conference. It was not intended at first to serve as an association, but a meeting" for conference on missionary and other topics, where there was the larg-er freedom of speak- ing" in their own language. As a matter of informa- tion their statistics were reported annually at these conferences, but for ten or twelve years they continued as members of the associations named. As the num- ber of churches increased, the need of a separate org-an- ization led them to withdraw, and after 1886 the crigfi- nal missionary conference, org-anized in 1874, became the Scandinavian Baptist Association of South Dakota. This org-anization is a tower of streng-th for the Bap- 206 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. tist cause in this state. For many years it has fur- nished one-half or more of the support of its state missionary. The large annual contributions fqr all benevolent objects indicate the deep and increasing- interest of the churches in missions, christian educa- tion, and all departments of relig-ious work. In the association are nineteen churches, with eig-ht hundred and ninety-seven members. BLACK HILLS ASSOCIATION. This association was org-anized by the state superin- tendent of missions, at Rapid City, September 12, 1890. At its organization it included the Baptist churthes at Deadwood, Rapid City, Lead City, Hot Springs, Custer City, and Hill City; also the church at Sundance, Wyoming. The churches at Beaver Basin and Oel- rich were received into the association in 1893.. The last reported membership was three hundred and eighty-three. FIVE NEW ASSOCIATIONS ORGANIZED. By reason of the annual addition of new churches, the territory of the Southern Dakota, Sioux Valley and James River Associations became too large to promote the interests and serve the needs of the churches com- posing them. The Southern Dakota Association extended from Elk Point and Akron on the Sioux river, to Chamberlain, on the Missouri river, a distance of one hundred and seventy-five miles. The James River Association, in its greatest length reached from Pierre to Pierpont, in Day county, a distance of two hundred and forty miles. The Sioux Valley Asso- ciation was one hundred and fifty miles long and about one hundred miles wide. It had become impossible for most of the weaker churches to be represented by dele- gates, unless all of the annual meetings were held at THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 207 some central point. The formation of a larg-er number of associations, g-eog-raphically smaller, became a necessity. On the recommendation of the state superintendent of missions, the three associations above 'mentioned, at their annual meeting-s in 1891, appointed a joint com- mittee to carefully consider the situation, and recom- mend such action as they should deem wise and neces- sary. While waiting' for the devolopment of some projected lines of railroad, in 1892, it was thoug-ht advisable to delay making- any recommendations for definite action until the following- year. At the annual meetings held in June, 1893, the joint committee reported that in their judg-ment there should be five associations organized, that each one should cover a considerably smaller area than any of the three hitherto existing-, and that they should be formed with reference to present and prospective lines of railroad, in order to make attendance at the annual meeting's as easy and inexpensive as possible. Beg-inning- with the southern portion of the state, where our denomination in South Dakota had its orig-in, they recommended the formation of the following- named associations the area of each to be the counties named under its heading-: Southern Dakota ^ Association. — Union, Clay, Yankton, Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Doug-las, Hutch- inson, Turner and Lincoln. Sioux Padls Association. — Minnehaha, McCook, Hanson, Davison, Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Jerauld, Sanborn, Miner, Lake and Moody. Central Association. — King-sbury, Beadle, Hand, Hyde, Hug-hes and Sully. Northeastern Association. — Brooking-s, Deuel, Hamlin, Clark, Coding-ton, Grant and Roberts. 208 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Northwestern Association. — Marshall, Day, Brown, Spink, Paulk, Potter, Edmunds, McPherson, Walworth and Campbell. In the foreg^oing- arrang'ement as to new associations, the churches, including* some new ones added since, according- to their location were naturally grouped tog-ether as follows : Southern Dakota Association. — Akron, Armour, Beresford, Blooming-dale (now Spirit Mound), Canton, Centerville, Delmont, Elk Point, Hurley, Lincoln, Parker, Parkston and Vermillion. — 13 Sioux Palls Association. — Beaver, Beulah, Blen- don. Chamberlain, Dell Rapids, Eg-ari, Plandreau, Kimball, Madison, Mitchell, Montrose, Plankinton, Salem, Sioux Palls, Spencer, Woonsocket and Zion. — 17 Central Association.— ^Arling-ton, DeSmet, Het- land, Huron, Lake Preston, Onida, Pierre and Old- ham. — 8 Northeastern Association.— Bradley, Brooking-s, Bruce, Bryant, Bushnell, Clark, Effington, Elkton, Estelline, Goodwin, Troy, Watertown, Windom and White Rock.— 14 Northwestern Association. — Aberdeen, Conde, Paulkton, Gem, Gettysburg-, Groton, Hecla, Hig-hland, Huffton, Ipswich, Pierpont, Rose, Verdon, Warner and Washing-ton. — 15 The report of the committee, which was not author- itative but advisory, was heartily adopted. The churches, without a sing-le exception, endorsed the recommendations made. To avoid the overlapping- of dates, a schedule of dates for the annual meeting's was submitted and approved. The committee recom- mended a form of constitution and by-laws which was adopted by each association. This served to unify ^FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DELL RAPIDS. CHURCH OKGANIZED JULY 21, 1872. FIKST HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED JULY 18, iSSo. PRKSENT HOUSE OK WORSHIP DRDICATED JUNE 8, 1SS7. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 209 plans of work throug-hout the state, and has resulted in saving- annually considerable expense in the printing- of the minutes of the various associations in the State Convention Annual. The annual meeting-s of the old associations were held, as usual, in 1893, at which time the churches that were to form the new associations, throug-h their deleg-ates and members present, held one or more sessions for the formal ratification of the contemplated org-anizations, adopted the proposed con- stitution and by-laws, elected officers for the ensuing- year, appointed the necessary standing- committees, and selected the place and preacher for the annual meeting-s to be held in 1894. The composition of the Scandinavian and German Associations is not affected by g-eog-raphical boundaries, except so far as they are included within the state, but is reg-ulated by the question of race and lang-uag-e. They were therefore not included in the foregoing- plan. Neither was the Black Hills Association, which being- isolated from the eastern half of the state, through lack of railroad con- nection, has a field of operations exclusively its own. In order that those who shall read this history in the coming- years may be able to trace the statistical pro- gress of our own denomination from the beg-inning-, and from the records of the present have a starting- point from which to beg-in their study of future g-rowth, there will be found at the end of this volume statistical tables g-iving- the associational summaries, membership and financial — for 1898; the tables of anniversaries of the state convention and the associations, and also of former associations to 1893, when they passed out of sight, giving way to associations now in existence. CHAPTER XX. SOUTH DAKOTA BAPTIST CONVENTION. The association is an important factor in rendering- assistance to weak and strug-g-ling- churches, and pro- moting- Christian fellowship and brotherly love. The state convention, on a larg-er scale, unifies the work, and in the consideration of the important questions of missions, education, and church extension, encourag-es and stimulates each local worker to a larg-er vision of the g-reat field of Christian activity, and a broader view of methods and plans of work. As the necessity arose, new associations were org-anized, but these org-aniza- tions, notwithstanding- their size, were local in their scope and mission. There was a conscious need of an org-anization that would draw tog-ether, for a common purpose, all of the workers within the sphere of its operations, that there mig-ht be unity in plan and effort. This feeling- found expression in the call issued to all of the churches, early in 1881, to send their pastors and other deleg-ates to a g-eneral rally of Baptists, to be held on the shore of Lake Madison. There was a g-rat- ifying- response to this appeal. The g-athering- was somewhat in the nature of a camp-meeting*. It beg-an on Thursday, June 30, and continued four days, clos- ing- on the following- Sunday evening-. The meeting-s were held in Baker's new barn, the larg-est one in Lake county, which was fitted up for the occasion. In the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 211 chang-es of later years, the main portion of that barn became the dining- room of the Lake View hotel, be- long-ing- to the Lake Madison Chautauqua Association. The leader in this movement was Rev. Edward Ellis, then g-eneral missionary. With him were associated some who had been pioneers in relig-ious work in Dakota, Revs. T. H. Judson, A. W. Hilton, J. P. Coif- man, Walter Ross, and others. Representative Bap- tists from abroad were present and assisted g-reatly in inspiring- and encourag-ing* the workers. Rev. William M. Haig-h, D. D., gave an address on "Missionary Work in Dakota Territory;" Rev. H. O. Rowland, D. D., then of Oshkosh, Wis., g-ave helpful addresses; Mrs. C. Swift, of Chicag-o, g-ave an address on "Woman's Missionary Work." Various devotional meeting's were held. Sermons were preached by Revs. J. Edminster, Walter Ross, J. P. Coffman, A. W. Hilton, H. O. Row- land, and others. During- the services on Sunday morning-, announcement was made of the assassination of President Garfield. Various topics of importance were fully considered. A resolution was adopted urg- ing- the importance of the establishment of a Baptist school of learning in the territory; another was adopted recommending the immediate formation of woman's mission circles in all the churches, to co-oper- ate with the woman's home and foreign missionary societies. After a full and animated discussion of the subject in all its bearings, it was unanimously voted that the time had come for the organization of a convention. Some at first favored the idea of organizing a convention for all of Dakota Territory, but the conclusion was reached harmoniously that the proposed convention should be for South Dakota. A committee on organization was 212 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. appointed, consisting- of Revs. J. P. Coffman, J. Ed- minster, Walter Ross, E. M. Epstein and A. S. Orcutt. The committee reported in part during- the meeting's, and were authorized to prepare a constitution and by-laws for adoption at the next meeting-, to be held at Sioux Palls. The following- officers were elected: President, Rev. Edward Ellis; secretary. Rev. J. P. Coffman; treasurer, Mr. D. P. Ward. The choir of the Madison Baptist church, and the Madison cornet band, furnished inspiring' music during- several of the sessions of the convention. The devotional meetings were con- ducted by Revs. J. P. Coffman, F. H. Newton, N. Tychsen, E. M. Epstein, H. E. Norton, A. S. Orcutt, and brethren B. S. Wales and D. P. Ward. In addition to the ministers in attendance at the convention, who have already been named, there were present a g-oodly number of consecrated laymen, from different churches, "and of honorable women, not a few." The convention adjourned to meet at Sioux Falls, in 1882. While the orig-in of the convention is usually reg-arded as dating- from the meeting's held at Lake Madison in 1881, its org-anization was perfected at Sioux Falls, November 1-3, 1882. The date of the meeting- was arrang-ed to suit the convenience of the Baptist church at Sioux Falls, who were hastening' the preparations for the dedication of their house of worship. The first three sessions were held in the Cong'reg'ational church. The minutes of the preliminary meetings, held at Lake Madison, were read, and the committee on organization presented a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. The following officers were elected: Presi- dent, Rev. J. P. Coffman; vice presidents. Revs. G. W. Freeman and Walter Ross; recording secretary. Rev. Geo. A. Cressey; corresponding secretary. Rev. A. S. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 2l3 Orcutt; treasurer, Georg-e Morehouse. A board of fifteen manag-ers was elected, divided into three classes, of five each, to serve one, two and three years. Instead of an annual sermon, several addresses were delivered. Among' these was an address by Rev. Marsena Stone, D. D., on *'The Needs and Benefits of a State Convention," and one by Rev. Wm. M. Haig-h, D. D., on "New Developments in Western Missions." All of the usual objects of Christian beneficence were fully considered. The Baptist house of worship was dedicated on Wednesday evening-, November 2. The sermon was preached by Rev. P. S. Henson, D. D., of Chicag-o. On the day following* the dedication, the sessions of the convention were held in the Baptist church. The committee on obituaries announced the death, September 20, of Rev. A. W. Hilton, one of the pioneer missionaries, the second death among- Baptist ministers since the beginning- of missionary work in Dakota. An interesting- session, devoted to a consid- eration of woman's work in missions was held. The closing- session was in the interest of Christian educa- tion. The long- cherished desire for the establishment of a Baptist institution of learning seemed about to be realized, in the prospective opening, at Sioux Palls, of the "Dakota Colleg'iate Institute." Several earnest addresses were delivered by members of the conven- tion and citizens of Sioux Falls. Rev. Jacob Olsen was ordained by a council held during the sessions of the .convention. The South Dakota Baptist Convention was now fully organized. It had a constituency of thirty-two min- isters, thirty-one churches, including several Scandi- navian but not including three or four German churches recently organized, and a total reported membership 214 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. of 846. Of the thirty-two ministers only twenty were pastors, the others not being- in active service on account of age and infirmities, or living* on claims to establish homes. The annual meetings of the conven- tion have been regularly held. On account of the extensive area of its field of operations, over seventy- six thousand square miles, and the high rate of fare for travel by railroad lines, for several years the aver- age attendance was not large, but interest in its object and work was 'maintained and gradually increased. Within recent years there has been a gratifying increase in attendance, and every department of its work has received careful and earnest attention. In 1884, the South Dakota Baptist Ministerial Union was organ- ized, and its annual meetings, increasingly interesting and profitable, are always held in connection with the annual meetings of the convention. The growing' interest in woman's home and foreign missionary work has been helpful in securing the attendance of conse- crated workers. All of the leading objects of benevo- lence are fully considered and encouraged. The repre- sentatives of our denominational societies are cordially welcomed, and in their absence their causes are not overlooked. The fundamental and primary idea of a state conven- tion is the development of missionary resources, and the prosecution of missionary work, within the state. This. has never been forgotten, and in more recent years it has been kept conspicuously prominent. For many years the small number of churches, and their weakness, rendered it necessary that a large propor- tion of the amount needed for the support of pastors should come from the American Baptist Home Mission Society. This condition of dependence continued THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 215 long-er, in the case of some of the older churches, than was anticipated, on account of trying- local conditions, and the hardships and disappointments incident to the developement of a new country. The small contribu- tions of the churches, as compared with the larg-e amount annually appropriated by the society, did not furnish a very satisfactory basis for a plan of co-operation. To co-operate is to act or operate jointly with another or others. It is concurrent effort on the part of tw^o or more parties to accomplish a desired end. The plan of co-operation between the state convention and the Home Mission Society, g-enerally adopted in the older western states, was frequently considered, and in 1891 it was adopted. For a year or two it was more nominal than real, but as the churches came to under- stand its necessity, and the advantag^es that would result from it, in cultivating- a spirit of self-reliance, and developing systematic and scriptural habits of benevolence, they accepted it as something- not only needed, but to be desired. The churches of South Dakota are rapidly coming- into a closer understanding- of the duty resting- on each state to foster its own needy fields, by increasing- its own resources; each year g-radually releasing- its claims on the Home Mis- sion Society, until finally the society can transfer its beneficence to newer and more needy fields in the reg-ions beyond. Each year, by the action of the con- vention, a specified amount for the state convention fund, or state missions, reasonably larg-er than in the preceding- year, is apportioned among- the churches. The churches g-enerally have accepted their apportion- ment, and raised it with commendable promptness, as a duty that should be performed, in g-rateful recog-nition 216 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. of g-enerous assistance rendered to them in the past. In meeting- these increased obligations, though it involves some sacrifice and effort, more has been accomplished than merely to raise a specified amount of money. It has had an educating- effect on the churches, and led to broader views of benevolence, and impressed on many minds the truth of that saying- of Christ, "It is more blessed to g-ive than to receive." HON. HOSMER H. KEITH, PRESIDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 18S4-1899. PRESIDENT SOUTH DAKOTA BAPTIST CONVENTION, 18S3-4-S. Jh..^ /9^^ CHAPTER XXI. RELATION TO MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. It was the day of small things when missionary work was first undertaken in South Dakota, but in the found- ing- of pioneer settlements, and the establishment of churches, those who came first to this new field did not forg-et the necessity for evang-elizing- America, and preaching- the g-ospel throug-hout the world. Por the success of these objects they prayed, and out of their poverty they made annual oifering-s for missions. At the org-anization of the first association at Vermillion, in 1872, the following- preamble and resolution were adopted: Whereas, We recog-nize that we, as a part of Christ's working- force on the earth, are responsible for the execution of his command to disciple all nations; and recognizing- in the different societies of the denomina- tion, efficient ag-encies for the accomplishment of this work; therefore, Resolved, That we extend our hearty sympathy to and pledg-e our hearty co-operation with the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the American Baptist Missionary Union, and the Publication Society, and that we will support them, by pur influence, our con- tributions and our prayers. This action was taken when the ability to assist in the g-eneral work of these societies was limited, but the disposition to g-ive, and the practice of benevolence, have grown with each succeeding- year. 218 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. AMERICAIV BAPTIST HOME MISSIOX SOCIETY. To the foster mother of nearly all of the Baptist churches in South Dakota, a lasting* debt of g-ratitude is due. If it had not been for her assistance rendered from the beginning, and continued with a liberal hand, and her fostering- care in aiding- to support pastors and to secure homes for the churches, the Baptist cause in South Dakota could never have g-rown and reached its present position of influence and power among the relig-ious forces of the state. At the same associational meeting- referred to, this resolution was adopted: Resolved, That in the American Baptist Home Mis- sion Society we recog-nize our kindest and best friend, and that she has claims upon us above all others; and we extend to her our heartiest thanks for the interest manifested in leng-thening- the cords and streng-thening the stakes of our Zion in this territory. To the extent of her ability the society rendered assistance to strugg-ling- churches in existence, and made it possible to organize new ones, with a superin- tending- missionary to care for their interests. The following- persons have represented the society on this field as general missionaries, or state superintendents: Rev. G. W. Freeman, two years and seven months, from March 1, 1871 to October 1, 1874; Rev. Edward Ellis, five years, from August 1, 1880, to August 1, 1885; and Rev. T. M. Shanafelt, nearly eleven years, from April 1, 1888, to the present time, January, 1899. This work of a superintending missionary has covered eighteen of the thirty-five years since missionary work was first begun in Dakota Territory. If there could have been a superintendent of missions during the seventeen years when no such service was rendered, our denomination would today hold a position in advance of that which it now occupies. The fields of most of THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 219 the pastors were too larg'e to enable them to take advantag-e of favorable opportunities, and seize stra- teg"ic points, and plant churches, at the times when local conditions were most favorable for org-anization and rapid growth. After Rev. G. W. Freeman's personal oversight of the work ended, Rev. J. N. Webb, D. D., who had been general missionary for Nebraska, was appointed district secretary for Nebraska and Dakota Territory. The building of the Union Pacific railroad had led to the rapid development of Nebraska. This rendered it necessary for him to devote most of his time and labor to that portion of his district. Though only one or two new churches were organized on this field during the terrn of his appointment, yet he rendered such service as he could, and helped to encourage the workers, and strengthen the churches then existing. Through his personal efforts, and the agencies that he set in motion, he did much to prevent permanent dis- aster to the early Scandinavian churches, whose growth was checked, and their existence imperiled, by the per- nicious activity of Seventh Day Adventists, in 1874-5-6. His term of service as district secretary for Nebraska and Dakota Territory began February 1, 1875, and ended October 1, 1877. In 1877, Rev. Wm. M. Haigh, D. D., was appointed western general superintendent of missions. His headquarters were at Chicago. In the course of time South Dakota was included in his district. He made his first visit to the field at a time of great need, in August, 1879, and occasionally thereafter, as the over- whelming cares and duties of his office would permit. His watchful eye, however, was constantly overlooking all the fields in his district, and his superintendence 220 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. was helpful and inspiring*. Owing" to the immensity of his district it was divided in 1887, and Rev. H. C. Woods, D. D., was appointed district secretary and g-eneral superintendent of missions for a larg-e district west of the Missouri river, including- South Dakota. The g-enial spirit and helpful counsel of Dr. Woods, at the annual meeting's of the convention and associations, and other important occasions, will always be g-rate- fully remembered. In 1892, a re-adjustment of dis- tricts, with a view to increase their number, so chang-ed their boundary lines as to sever his official relations with South Dakota. For two years this state was not included in any dis- trict* In 1894 a new district was formed, consisting* of Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakoj^a, to be known as the Red River District, and Rev. T. R. Peters, D. D., was appointed to take its superintend- ence. He had just entered upon its duties, and was about to beg-in his official relation to South Dakota, when he was suddenly called away by death. After several months of waiting-, his successor. Rev. O. A. Williams, D. D., was appointed. He beg-an his work as district secretary, and superintendent of missions, September 1, 1894. His wise counsel, and g-entle spirit, and brotherly kindness, have caused him to be held in the hig-hest esteem by the churches of the four states of which he is the efficient superintendent. With the addition of Wisconsin in 1898, the name of the district was chang-ed. It is now known as the Upper Mississippi District. The number of commissions issued to missionaries in Dakota Territory from the beg-inning- to its division in 1889, was 392. It is a fair estimate that three-fifths of these, or 235, were for missionary labor in South THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 221 Dakota. Since statehood the number of commissions issued to South Dakota to the present time is 384, a total ol 619. The appropriations for missionary labor in Dakota Territory to the beg-inning- of statehood amounted to $93,028.65, and to South Dakota since that period, $91,000. Estimating- three-fifths of the first-named amount, $55,817.19, as appropriated to missionaries in South Dakota, it is safe to say that the total amount of appropriations for missionary aid in. this state, from the beg-inning-, in 1864, to the present time, is $146,817. Prom the church edifice fund Baptist churches in South Dakota have received g-enerous assistance in building- houses of worship — in g-ifts, $19,096.90; in loans, $12,825.00; total, $31,921.90. Of this amount the present , state superintendent of missions, in 1890, secured in Michig-an and Ohio $2,600.00 as a special church edifice fund for the Black Hills. This desig- nated fund was forwarded to the treasurer of the society. The total amount of aid received by South Dakota from the American Baptist Home Mission Society for missionary support and in building- homes for the churches since 1864 to January, 1899, is $178,739.09. As compared with the wonderful g-enerosity of the society, the contributions sent to it for its g-eneral work by the churches of the state have been very small, amounting- to $11,229.79. In the statistical table g-iving- the reported benevolence and expenses from 1864 to 1898, the total reported contributions for home mis- sions amount to $15,972.81, but this includes the con- tributions of the women's mission circles sent to the treasurer of their society, at Chicag-o. Since 1894 there has also been raised by the churches in the state 222 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. for state missions $6,071.50, under the existing- plan of co-operation between the society and the state conven- tion. The foreg-oing- statements as to the number of commissions issued, and the amount of missionary aid and church edifice g-ifts and loans received, are accu- rate and official, the details having- been obtained throug-h requests for information sent to the officers of the society, after an examination of the books and rec- ords covering- a period of thirty years. AMERICAIV BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION. Thoug-h the first oblig-ation resting- upon the churches has been to assist the society that made their existence possible, and has helped to maintain that existence, the cause of foreig-n missions has never been overlooked. The first churches that were org-anized, in their early strug-g-les to become firmly established, manifested by resolutions and contributions their sympathy for the nations that are without the g-ospel. All have done what they coUld to assist in evang-elizing- the world. The Scandinavian and German churches have made specially g-enerous offering-s for this cause. In addi- tion to their contributions for foreig-n missions, during- the famine in Russia in 1894, the German-Russian Bap- tists of South Dakota sent over $1,500 to relieve the wants of the destitute. The total reported contribu- tions for foreig-n missions from the churches is $13,- 250.94, from women's mission circles, $4,989.43. Total, $18,230.37. Five representatives from South Dakota Baptist churches have labored on foreig-n mission fields. Rev. C. B. Antisdell, of Vermyiion, went as a missionary to the Cong-o reg-ion in Africa, in September, 1892. Rev. S. A. D. Bog-g-s, and his wife, of Akron, went to Assam, in 1893. Rev. P. Weddel, a German Baptist, went THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 223 to Africa in 1892, and died there in 1897. A. E. Saba, a native Syrian, born near the forests of Lebanon, was converted and became an active member of the Baptist church at Deadwood. He g-raduated at the Southern Theolog-ical Seminary at Louisville, Ky., in 1896, and returned to Syria as a missionary. He died there in the summer of 1897. AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. The org-anization of Baptist Sunday schools, and the distribution of Baptist literature, became necessary with the beg-inning- of the work of planting- Baptist churches. Earnest appeals were made to the American Baptist Publication Society for the appointment of a Sunday school missionary and colporteur. Rev. Isaiah W. Reed was appointed Sunday school missionary for Nebraska and Dakota in 1870, but there is no record of his having- rendered any service outside of Nebraska. Mr. Georg-e T. Johnson was appointed for Dakota in 1880, and served nearly one year. Mr. B. S. Wales was appointed Sunday school mis- sionary and colporteur, December 1, 1881, and served until May 1, 1887. During- the six years and a half that he was in the service of the society, with his mission- ary ponies and wag-on-load of books, he traveled over the territory, org-anizing- Baptist Sunday schools, and scattering- sound and healthful literature. In his report of services rendered, it is stated that at the beg-inning- of his term of service he found nine Baptist Sunday schools in existence; at its close there were over eig-hty. In a summary of his labors during- this period he g-ives the following- statistics: Org-anized personally fifty and indirectly twenty-two Sunday schools, visited 3,500 families, delivered 1,000 addresses, traveled, mainly by team, 35,000 miles, sold and distributed 5,000 copies of 224 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. the Scriptures, and 3,200 books, and distributed 65,000 pag-es of tracts. Under the fostering- care of mission- ary pastors, eight churches were organized on fields where Sunday schools had been planted. In July, 1888, Mr. David P. Ward was appointed Sunday school missionary. He had previously been eng-ag-ed for seven or eight years in union Sunday school work. In September, 1895, he resigned to become Sunday school missionary for California. During- the seven years that he was in the service of the Publication Society in South Dakota he org-anized a number of new schools. Statistical reports of his labors are meag-er and incomplete. The following- summary is given: Addresses delivered, 1,423; Bibles and Testaments distributed, 1,502; pages of tracts dis- tributed, 20,500; miles traveled, 84,750; Sunday schools org-anized, 37. Mr. Prank D. Hall was appointed Sunday school missionary, October 1, 1895. He also has charg-e of the work in North Dakota. Since his appointment for this state he has org-anized in South Dakota seven new Sunday schools; sold and distributed 310 Bibles and Testaments; distributed 17,200 pages of tracts; and traveled 21,566 miles. Peter Anderson, P. M. Olsen, C. A. Lindbloom, and Rev. O. Sutherland have served as colporteurs among- the Scandinavians. During- 1892-3, Rev. H. P. Wilkinson, Sunday school missionary for Wyoming-, also rendered valuable services in the Black Hills. Rev. E. G. Wheeler, who, with his wife, had charg-e for several years of the chapel car "Eman- uel," and was accidentally killed in New Mexico, August 7, 1895, was one of the pioneer settlers in cen- tral South Dakota. He built the first dwelling- house in Huron, where for several years he was a drugg-ist. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 225 He org-anized the first Sunday school in the city. In 1884, he went from Huron to the Pacific coast where he became a Sunday school missionary in Oregon and Washing-ton. W^OMAN'S BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY. During' most of the years since the org-anization of the Woman's Baptist Poreig-n Mission Society of the west, in 1871, it has been represented in South Dakota by a vice president, or a state secretary, or both. The following- have served as vice president since 1880: Mrs. E. J. Brownson, Yankton; Mrs. Edward Ellis, Sioux Falls; Mrs. W. W. Smith, Sioux Falls; Mrs. Miltimore, Huron; Mrs. Helen M. Barker, Huron; Mrs. C. E. Baker, Sioux Falls; Mrs. D. C. Smith, Pierre; and Mrs. C. F. Hackett, Parker. The following- have been under appointment as state secretary: Miss Mabel Childs, Childstown; Mrs. H. J. Austin, Ver- million; Mrs. F. B. Dobson, Sioux Falls; Mrs. C. H. Hotchkiss, Marion; Mrs. J. Farg-o, Dell Rapids; Mrs. W. W. Smith, Sioux Falls; and since March 1, 1888, Miss Emma L. Swartz, Parkston. The annual contributions to the society from women's mission circles have rang-ed from one dollar in 1872, to $635.34 in 1893. The contributions from the beg-inning- to the division of Dakota Territory in 1889, represent both South Dakota and North Dakota, and amount to SI, 203. 31. Of this amount at least two-thirds, or $802.20, represent the offering-s of the women's mission circles in South Dakota. The reported contributions from this state since the division of the territory amount to $4,1-87.23. Total since 1872, $4,989.43. Much of the interest in and success of the w^ork in South Dakota, during- the last eleven years, has been 15 226 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. due to the persistent efforts and perseverance of the state secretary, Miss Emma L. Swartz. MADMAN'S BA^PTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY. This society was org-anized in 1877. Its object is to promote woman's work for women and children among- Americans, and people of all nationalities and races in America. Its motto is "Christ in every home." Under its manag-ement is the missionary training- school, in which many young- ladies have been educated and trained for missionary work, both in America and in foreig-n lands. The society elects annually a vice- president from each western state, who has the g-eneral supervision of woman's home mission work in her state, including- the org-anization of women's mission circles and young- people's mission bands, and raising- funds throug-h these org-anizations for the g-eneral work of the society. The following have served as vice-president for South Dakota: 1882 to 1884, Mrs. R. R. May, Can- ton; 1885 to 1888, Mrs. J. Rowley, Vermillion; 1889 to 1896, Mrs. T. M. Shanafelt, Huron; 1896-7, Mrs. L. J. Ross, De Smet; since 1898, Mrs. E. T. Cressey, Sioux Falls. The young- women who have represented South Dakota in the missionary training- school, and as mis- sionary workers on various fields, are as follows: Miss Belle L. Pettig-rew, from Sioux Palls, several years a missionary among- the colored people in the south, a teacher in Shaw University, Raleig-h, N. C, and now preceptress in Rog-er Williams University, Nashville, Tenn.; Miss Caroline E. Larson, missionary among- the Mormons, at Og-den, Utah; Miss Abbie E. Ross, teacher and missionary among- the Chinese in San Francisco, Cal.; Miss Marie S. Liebig-, missionary among the Germans in Dayton, O.; and Mrs. Martha THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 227 Liebig- Wedal, g-eneral missionary among- the Germans in South Dakota. Miss Mary Cliser and Miss Emma Olsen were members of the training- school from 1883 to 1886. The contributions from South Dakota amount to §2,839.03. This has been sent mainly by the women's mission circles, auxiliary to the churches. For several years, in addition to the amount here reported, these circles have paid to the treasurer of the South Dakota Baptist Convention, for missionary work in this state, one-half or more of the amount raised by them for home missions. The women's mission circles of this state are organized on the union plan, representing- study, work, and contributions for both home and for- eig-n missions. CHAPTER XXII. SIOUX FALLS COLLEGE. The subject of Christian education was among- the important matters that received careful consideration in the early days of Dakota Territory. The pioneers, in a broad and far-reaching" forecast of the future, seemed to clearly understand that they were laying- the foundations of a coming- state, and they desired, at the beg-inning-, to make provisions for the education of their children, and of the g-enerations that should follow. When there were only nine Baptist churches in all the territory, on the first occasion for the assembling- tog-ether of the pastors and other representatives of these churches, at the time of the org-anizat^on of the Southern Dakota Baptist Association, at Vermillion, June 5, 1872, a committee on Christian education was appointed, consisting- of J. J. Mclntire, S. A. Ufford, and Martin J. Lewis. The committee presented the following- resolutions, which were fully discussed and unanimously adopted: Resolved^ That this association recog-nize the inter- ests of Christ's cause in this young- and g-rowing- terri- tory, in connection with our denomination, as intimately allied to the interests of hig-her education. Resolved, That we take immediate steps for the establishment of an institute among- us, and that we devote a suitable portion of time at each annual meeting- to a consideration of this important subject, and give SIOUX FALLS COLLECiP:. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 229 our individual and associated influence to encourag-in^ a more g^eneral and complete education of our youth under distinctively Christian influences. Resolved, That we org-anize an educational depart- ment (for the present in connection with the g'eneral work of the association), by the election of a committee on education, consisting" of seven members, whose duty it shall be to consider and propose the best means of helping" the cause, and especially to select a locality, easy of access, healthy, and surrounded by moral, intellectual and social influences, friendly and helpful to the interests of an institute, and that will furnish the larg-est financial assistance. The committee appointed to carry out the spirit and instructions of these resolutions consisted of the fol- lowing" persons: J. J. Mclntire, G. W. Freeman, J. H. Young", J. L. Coppoc, E. H. Hurlbutt, S. A. Uiford and M. J. Lewis. At each annual meeting" of the asso- ciation the subject was earnestly discussed, and plans for the establishment of an institution of learning" were considered. That something" decisive and definite was not done was due to the weakness and poverty of the churches, and the crop failures and hard times result- ing" from various causes, covering" a period of several years. Thougfh unable to carry out any of these cher- ished plans, the subject of hig"her education lay heavily on the hearts of the people, and when, in later years, the time came for action, they were ready to render prompt and willing" assistance. In 1881 a call was issued for a mass meeting" of Bap- tists in the southern half of Dakota Territory. It was held at Lake Madison, July 1-4. The primary object of the meeting" was to consider the advisability of org-anizing" a Baptist state or territorial convention. The South Dakota Baptist Convention was org"anized, officers were elected, and a constitution was adopted at 230 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. the next meeting-, held in Sioux Palls, in 1882. At this meeting-, held at Lake Madison, the necessity for estab- lishing- a denominational school was fully revealed in the earnest discussions held at different sessions. The following- resolution was adopted: Resolved, That it is our duty to watch with vig-ilance the indications of Providence with reference to the establishment of an institution of learning- in Dakota, and that a committee shall be appointed whose duty it shall be to correspond with and receive offers from dif- ferent localities, looking- towards the establishment of such a school. The committee appointed to secure proposals for the. location of the school were Edward Ellis, A. W. Hilton, A. S. Orcutt, M. J. Lewis and B. Morse. The larg-est financial offer was made by citizens of Sioux Palls, who proposed to g-ive, in cash and land, $6,000. Their prop- osition was accepted, and the school was located at Sioux Palls. It was at first called the Dakota Colleg-i- ate Institute. Through the arrang-ements made at the meeting- at Lake Madison, a board of trustees was elected. A provisional school was beg-un in a hall in the city, but it continued only a few months. A suit- able building- for the school was necessary. About November 1, 1882, the Baptist church at Sioux Palls completed its house of worship, and Rev. E. B. Meredith became its pastor, January 1, 1883. He and Rev. Edward Ellis secured the $6,000 pledg-ed by Sioux Palls— including- $3,000 in cash and forty acres of land. The board of trustees appointed E. B. Meredith, E. P. Beebe and Edward Ellis an executive committee, with authority to make arrang-ements for starting- the school and erecting- a building- for its use. The work was undertaken, and in the fall of 1883 the foundation of the present building- was laid. A curriculum of study THE Baptist history op sodth dakota. 231 was prepared, and Professor Hardy C. Stone, a recent g'raduate of Colg'ate University, was called to take charg-e of the educational work. Meanwhile E. B. Mer- edith and Edward Ellis were making- arrang-ements for the completion of the building- and looking- after the financial interests of the school, in addition to their other labors as pastor of a strug-g-ling- church and serv- ing- as g-eneral missionary. The first session of the school opened -September 18, 1883, in the basement of the Baptist church, where all of the sessions were held for two years. The total number of students enrolled the first year was one hundred and fifteen. The'faculty consisted of Prof. Hardy C. Stone, principal; Rev. E. B. Meredith, Dr. A. H. Tufts, Hon. S. E. Young-, Mrs. S. E. Young-, Mrs. A. H. Arnold, Mrs. Eora Welsh, and Miss Nellie Hall. The second year Prof. F. W. Perry and his wife, who had taug-ht several years in Shaw University, and Mrs. C. M. Aikin, were added to the faculty. Principal H. C. Stone died of typhoid fever, February 11, 1885. He was a young- man of g-reat promise. His superior ability, unselfish spirit, and hig-h Christian character, commended him to all who knew him. His death left the charg-e of the school in the hands of Prof. F. W. Perry. In the summer of 1885 the school was reorg-anized, and became known as Sioux Falls University. Rev. E. B. Meredith was elected president, and Rev. Edward Ellis, financial secretary. Both resig-ned their former positions as pastor and g-eneral missionary, and entered heartily into the work to which they were called. The building- was completed at a cost of $16,000, and the educational and financial work of the school was pushed forward with g-reat earnestness and zeal. Miss M. L. 232 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Fulling-ton, of Vermont, was added to the faculty. Mrs. P. W. Perry, the preceptress, died suddenly, December 3, 1885. After her death her husband resigned. The faculty was reorg-anized in the midst of the term, and the year's work was carried on successfully. Rev. Edward Ellis resig-ned Aug-ust 1, 1886, as finan- cial secretary, to accept an appointment as district secretary, from the American Baptist Home Mission Society. This left the entire burden of financial responsibility resting* on the president. The school year opened with a faculty consisting- of the president. Prof. H. J. Vosburgf, now principal of Wayland Acad- emy, at Beaver Dam, Wis., Dr. A. H. Tufts, Miss Carrie E. Lawrence, preceptress, and Miss M. L. Full- ing-ton. The* president spent several months in the east raising- funds to apply on indebtedness. A loan of $3,000 was secured from Mr. J. D. Rockefeller. In 1887 Prof. P. J. Walsh became a member of the faculty and remained seven years. He was a model teacher, and did much to mould the character and increase the effectiveness of the school. In succeeding- years the faculty has been composed of able and experienced teachers, including- Professors Geo. F. Wilkin, Charles J. Ives, R. R. Putnam, H. E. Brown, Z. C. Trask, O. W. Moore, J. B. Meredith, E. A. Ufford, S. L. Brown, C. W. Henry, E. B. McKay, A. B. Price, J. D. Gardner, Mrs. P.' J. Walsh, Mrs. J. B. Meredith, Miss Mary Wadsworth, Miss Flora E. Harris, Miss Emma Hicks, Miss H. D. E. Hall, Miss Genevieve Blair, Miss Mary E. Price, Miss M. L. Paul, Miss Grace I. Post and others. At the first election of trustees the following- persons constituted the board: Rev. E. B. Meredith, Rev. REV. E. B. MEREDITH, PASTOR FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, SIOUX FALLS, DECEMBER 23, 1S82, TO SEPTEMBER I, 1SS5. PRESIDENT SIOUX FALLS COLLEGE, SEPTEMBER I, 1885, TO JANUARY I, 1895. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 233 Edward Ellis, Rev. J. P. Coffman, Hon. W. W. Brook- ings, Hon. H. H. Keith, M. J. L^wis, Rev. G. W. Freeman, B. F. Roderick, J. B. Young, E. P. Beebe, Peter Morse, and E. T. Cressey. Other trustees have been as follows: E. A. Sherman, C. E. Baker, Geo. Morehouse, Chas. R. Dean, Rev. Jacob Olsen, John Sutherland, G. A. Uline, J. G. Eddy, J. T. Hamilton, Z. C. Trask, Rev. R. N. Van Doren, C. E. McKinney, O. W. Thompson, and Rev. T. M. Shanafelt. Rev. Edward Ellis, and Hon. H. H. Keith have served as president of the board of trustees; Rev. E. B. Meredith and J. G. Eddy as secretary, and E. A. Sherman, Martin J. Eewis and Z. C. Trask as treasurer. Among those outside of the state who have made large contributions towards the erection of the college building and the expenses of the institution, are J. A. Bostwick, J. B. Trevor and J. D. Rockefeller of New York; Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop of New Jersey, and J. B. Hoyt of Stamford, Conn. Within the state gen- erous assistance has been rendered, in some cases fre- quently, by Martin J. Lewis, G. W. Freeman, E. B. Meredith, H. H. Keith, Geo. Morehouse, W. W. Brook- ings, E. A. Sherman, A. C. Phillips, Mrs. Hattie Phillips, E. P. Beebe, Peter Morse, Edwin E. Sage, and others. The first class graduated from the academic depart- ment in 1886. Each succeeding year the graduating class has ranged in number from three to fifteen. These students have reflected great credit upon the institution, and many of them are filling places of honor and responsibility in the various professions which they have adopted, or in business life. Several grad- uates have entered the ministry, and are preaching the gospel successfully in South Dakota and other states. 234 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. The financial panic of 1893, and the long- continued droug-ht throug^hout the state so seriously crippled some of the burden-bearing- friends of the school, that President E. B. Meredith tendered his resig-nation January 1, 1895. Professor P. J. Walsh also severed his relation with the colleg-e, after seven years of faith- ful and self-sacrificing- service. Rev. E. B. Meredith was identified with the institution, nearly all of the time as president, during- a period of twelve years. Some of the later 3^ears were devoted larg-ely to eiforts to secure financial support, and thus help to maintain the existence of the school. Much of this period he bore without flinching- or complaining the larg-er part of the financial burden, until it became too heavy for any one friend and helper of the colleg-e to carry. A very important part of the work of establishing- an institu- tion of learning- is foundational in its character. The founder of any important enterprise is often lost to sig-ht in the foundation. The value of the services rendered is not fully known, and is therefore not cor- rectly understood nor appreciated. Comparatively few have had a just conception of the services rendered to Sioux Palls Colleg-e by President Meredith. Not many have fully understood or appreciated his unflinching- loyalty and devotion to its interests, his constant anxiety for its prosperity, and his personal sacrifices to promote its welfare. After the resig-nation of President Meredith and Professor Walsh, the faculty was re-org-anized, and Professor E. A. Ufford became principal. At the end of one year of successful service, he went to Germany for a year of study in special departments, and Pro- fessor E. B. McKay became his successor. After the death of Professor McKay the present principal. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 235 Professor A. B. Price, was appointed. He has been earnestly devoted to the interests of the colleg*e. Associated with him is a faculty of thoroug-hly qualified and experienced teachers, who are rendering- excellent service to the institution. When the school was first established, in 1883, it was called the Dakota Collegiate Institute. After a couple of years, throug-h local influence at Sioux Palls, a new name was g-iven to the institution, and it became known as Sioux Palls University. Like nearly all western schools of hig-her learning-, it has long- been handi- capped by an overshadowing- name it oug-ht never to have borne. It is the earnest desire and hope of its friends that it shall be in the fullest sense a coUeg-e,' but no one anticipates that it will have associated with it the various schools of medicine, law, theolog-y, and other departments that would properly constitute it a university. Thus far during- its history, it has, from financial causes been limited to doing- mainly, the work of an academy, and this it has done with com- mendable thoroug-hness and efficiency. In. addition to this, several students have been taken throug-h a reg-ular colleg-e course of study to the end of the sophomore year. Recently the board of trustees have arrang-ed to have the charter so changed that henceforth the name of the Baptist institution of learning in South Dakota shall be Sioux Palls College. The college is admirably located in a campus of sev- eral acres, on elevated ground, in the south side of the city. It is an imposing- building, seventy-six feet long and forty feet wide, three stories high and a basement, and is built of Sioux Palls grahite. Its record has been one of efficient and self sacrificing service on the part of its faculty. Its graduates are men and women 236 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. of influence and prominence in South Dakota and the northwest. It has been, and is now, embarrassed by an indebtedness which ought to be speedily removed. With freedom from debt, and a reasonable endowment, it will be prepared to do full colleg^e work, and thus increase its efficiency and usefulness. While Baptists in South Dakota established a Bap- tist colleg-e at Sioux Palls, representatives of the denomination have been prominent in the establishment and administration of some of the state institutions of learning-. A Baptist, Dr. Ephraim M. Epstein, laid the foundations of the state university, located at Ver- million. Dr. Epstein was a native of Russia, thor- oughly educated, a linguist of the highest order, being a master of many languages, and an enthusiast in all matters pertaining to education. It was his earnest desire to establish a university for the higher educa- tion of the young people of Dakota Territory. The territorial legislature, in 1862, passed an act locating a university at Vermillion, but it was twenty years before it was in operation. In 1881, congress passed an act setting apart seventy-two sections of public land for its endowment. After serving for some time as pastor at Yankton, early in 1882 he resigned, and spent some months trav- eling over the southern counties of the territory, to awaken an interest among the people in the contem- plated university. Its first session opened at Vermil- lion, October 16, 1882. Dr. Epstein was its first pres- ident. Through his great energy and zeal he con- ducted it successfully to the end of its first year. An official report concerning the work done makes this statement: "The trustees are entirely satisfied with the school. It has been successfully managed. The THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 237 students also showed their satisfaction by returning* in large numbers at the opening- of the following- school year." Miss Carrie Lawrence, one of the members of the faculty, was also a Baptist. While the citizens of the territory and the students were satisfied wdth the administration of Dr. Epstein, there was in that early period an exhibition of the peculiar methods sometimes adopted by the manag-ing- boards of state institutions. The one to whom, above all others, credit was due for the successful establishment of the school, and its first prosperous year, was removed from the office of presi- dent, and another one chosen in his place. During- the second year he remained as a member of the faculty, and at its close he was dropped from the list of teach- ers. Many friends of the institution deeply reg-retted the discourtesy and ingratitude exhibited towards its founder. Edward Olsen, Ph. D., the third president of the state university, was a Baptist. At the time of his election to this responsible station he was a professor in the old Chicag-o University. His profound scholar- ship and g-reat administrative ability placed him in the hig-hest rank among- the leading- educators of the north- west. He served as president until his untimely death in Minneapolis, November 3, 1889. He lost his life in the disastrous fire which destroyed the building- occu- pied by the Minneapolis Tribune. His successor. Rev. Howard B. Grose, D. D., was also a Baptist. J. W. Heston, LL. D., president of the state ag-ricultural col- leg-e at Brooking-s, is a Baptist; so also is Prof. J. S. Frazee, A. M., president of the state normal school located at Spring-field. A fair proportion of the mem- bers of the faculty in each of the state institutions are Baptists. CHAPTER XXIIl. DAKOTA OR SIOUX INDIANS. There are about two hundred and eig-hty tribes of Indians in the United States. In a g-eneral classifica- tion they are grouped under a few comprehensive names or families. The three great confederations of the Algonquin, Lenape and Iroquois Indians, including numeious tribal sub-divisions, long ago controlled all of the country between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi river. Westward from Lake Superior and Ivake Michigan, and from the Mississippi river to the Rocky Mountains, were found the numerous^ tribes known under the general name of the Dakota Indians. During a long period there were numerous conflicts between the Algonquins and Iroquois of the east and the Dakotas of the northwest, but the Indians of the plain were always able to repel the aggressive invaders of their territory. It was not until the eastern Indian nations abandoned in large measure the use of the bow and arrow, and adopted the white man's weapons of warfare, that they were able to make serious encroach- ments on the country of the Dakotas, and gain a foot- hold west of the great lakes and the Mississippi river. At length the Algonquins pressed the Dakotas west- ward, as all red men were afterwards driven westward by the white race towards the setting sun. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 239 The Dakota Indians orig-inally occupied all of the valley of the Missouri, at least as far south as the Arkansas river. Along- linquistic lines their principal divisions were the Winnebag-oes on the east, the Crows on the west, and the Mandans, Otoes and Omahas along" the Missouri river. It was after the frequent and bloody conflicts between the Dakotas and the Alg-on- quins, which took place near the close of the seven- teenth century, that the former g-reat confederation began to slowly disinteg-rate, and was broken up into smaller g-roups of families or tribes. The name Dakota sig-nifies allied or confederated, having- reference to the various tribes that were united tog-ether. The most powerful of these tribes or nations were the Sioux Indians. Between the Ojibway and Dakota Indians there was constant warfare for many years. The former always referred to the latter as Nadowysioux, or Nadsuessioux, to sig-nify that they were enemies. This word, which afterward was abbre- viated to Sioux, in process of time became the name by which these Indians are known. According- to the census of 1890, there are now in South Dakota 19,792 Sioux Indians, representing-, under this g-eneral name, a score or more of Indian tribes. Among- these are many of the most celebrated Indian warriors in the United States. They have been eng-ag-ed in many conflicts, but throug-h the restraining- influence of military forts, and detachments of the reg-ular army located near their reservations, they have made no hostile demonstration since the Indian war in 1890, and the battle of Wounded Knee. Prom three to four thousand of these Indians participated in the massacre of General Custer and his command, in 1876. One of these afterward went south, and was converted 240 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. in Texas, became a Baptist, and has since been known as Rev. Pelix Mays. His Indian name was Plata. In the first two chapters of this volume frequent reference was made to the hostile attitude of the Indians, and numerous raids made by them ag'ainst the early settlements. As the result of military operations led by Generals Harney, Sully and Sibley, and the enforcement of several treaties made with the Indians, they were compelled to abandon the lands which they had ceded to the government, and remove to Indian reservations. The larg-est of these reservations is west of the Missouri river. It originally comprised over twenty-two millions of acres. By the terms of a treaty made with them in 1889, one-half of this reserva- tion was thrown open to settlement. Many Indians are also living- on what were formerly known as the Sisse- ton and Yankton reservations. In these localities, and also near Plandreau, many of them dissolved their tribal relations, and have taken land in severalty. They have adopted the customs of their white neighbors, and are known as civilized Indians. As they have property in their own right, they are subject to taxation, and have the right to vote as citizens of the state. Accord- ing to the last census the number. of civilized or self- supporting Indians was 784. There are six general Indian agencies in the state, each one representing several tribes, and consisting of from 1,500 to 5,500 Indians. They are as follows: Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, Yankton, Sisseton, and Crow Creek and Lower Brule. At each of these agencies some of the Indians live in comfortable houses, while many of those to whom buildings have been sup- plied by the government, prefer to live in tepees. The more civilized among them live near the agencies, but THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 241 the wild or uncivilized live near the borders of their reservation, preferring- to be as far away as possible from restraining- influences. On each reservation the g-overnment has established a number of schools. At these g-overnment schools attendance is compulsory. The education furnished is non-sectarian. Missionary work has been successfully conducted for many years among- the Indians of South Dakota, by the Roman Catholics, the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians and the Cong-reg-ationalists. The earliest missions were established by the Roman Catholics, and they have prosecuted their work vig-orously. The number of their church org-anizations and members is larg-e, but cannot be g-iven here, since promised detailed statistical information has not been received. Bishop Hare, of the Episcopal church, since his appointment in 1873, has been an active leader in missionary and educational work among- the Indians. The number of Episcopal churches on these reservations is not reported, but there are 2,752 Indian communicants. Six prosperous Indian schools are maintained. Among- the Indian tribes the Presbyterians have 21 churches, 1331 members, 17 houses of worship and 601 members in their Sunday schools. One of their churches is in North Dakota, and another is in Montana. The Con- g-reg-ationalists have in South Dakota and North Dakota, and at the Santee ag-ency in Nebraska, eleven churches, 618 members; and a Sunday school membership of 1161. Baptists have never attempted to prosecute mis- sionary work among- the Dakota or Sioux Indians. The occasion for this omission to undertake such a move-^ ment dates back to what was called the "peace policy" of General Grant. When he was President of the United States, he desired to see different methods 16 242 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. employed in caring* for the Indians. A Board of Indian Commissioners was appointed, who had general super- vision of Indian affairs. After consultation with repre- sentatives of the various missionary societies then prosecuting" their work among the Indians throughout the country, it was decided that the Indian reservations should be alloted to these societies, each having a certain number of them in charg-e. As a g'eneral rule the denomination that was doing* the larg-est amount of missionary and educational work on a reservation had that reservation assigned to it. The Indian tribes assigned to the American Baptist Home Mission Society were those among whom it was already doing missionary work, in Indian Territory and Nevada. The various missionary societies were requested to nominate to the Secretary of the Interior suitable men for appointment as Indian agents on these reservations, thus taking the oversight and manage- ment of the Indian tribes from government officials who were simply politicians, and putting them under the control of Christian men. This policy was adopted in 1870, and carried into effect in 1871. It proved effective for several years, until Hon. Carl Schurz became Secretary of the Interior in 1877. Having no sympathy whatever with religious things, he cared nothing for the recommendation of missionary societies. During his term of office the system adopted in 1870 ceased to be operative, and afterwards- it was not resumed. This policy was adopted when there were only two Baptist Churches, and no Baptist minister, except Chaplain Crocker, in Dakota Territory. Rev. G. W. Freeman became general ;iiissionary the following year, but his efforts were necessarily limited to the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 243 early missionary work needed in the new colonies and settlements that had been established. Meanwhile the plan adopted was in successful operation, and to the four religious organizations heretofore named, had been assigned the Sioux Indian tribes of Dakota. Though as a rule of action the system is no longer binding, yet other denominations have felt a moral obligation to act according to the spirit of the agreement. The work that has thus far been done to educate and evangelize the nearly twenty thousand Indians in South Dakota has produced gratifying results. There is less opposition by parents, than formerly, to the compulsory feature of education in the government schools. The older Indians have come to understand the advantages that their children have over their par- ents. An increasingly large number each year are becoming farmers, and as they progress towards self support, they cease to be indolent and dependent "wards of the nation." Fewer pagan rites are observed, since many of them have come to know a new and a better way to invoke the Great Spirit. It is a slow process, but the Indian is gradually progressing in intelligence and towards a condition of self reliance, and its final result, citizenship. To General T. J. Morgan, formerly Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and now Corresponding Secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, is due the credit of properly developing the Indian school system, and improving the efficiency of the Indian service. His carefully laid plans are bearing fruit in South Dakota. The people who were once savage and untamed, and, taking no thought for the morrow, pitched their tents only for the day, are slowly rising 244 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. to a hig-her plane of existence, and g-aining- a better view of life. The time will come when they will be ele- vated by relig-ious influences above the low moral con- dition of the past, and qualified by education and train- ing* in industrial pursuits, to reach a condition of self support, and become citizens of the nation that has so long treated them as wayward and dependent children. CHAPTER XXIV. STATISTICAL RETIE>\r. In this closing* chapter is furnished a statistical showing- of Baptist g-rowth and prog-ress in membership and benevolence, from the earliest available records until the present. In connection with this review are recorded several miscellaneous items of historical interest, and brief sketches of some of the pioneers who, having- served their g-eneration faithfully and well, have been mustered out of service and are at rest. The first known death of a Baptist minister in South Dakota, was that of Rev. L. Ross, at Goodwin, in 1879, ag-ed sixty-nine years. He had rendered faithful ser- vice for many years in other states, especially in Minnesota. A short time before his death, enfeebled in health, he came to Goodwin, to spend the closing- days of his life with his^ children. Rev. A. W. Hilton was the first of the pioneer mis- sionaries who was called away by death. He was born at Alderman's Green, Warwickshire, Eng-land, May 26, 1833. On reaching- manhood he came to New York, and a few months later removed to Fairbanks, la. There he was ordained in November, 1865. His most import- ant work in Iowa was during- the period when he was pastor at Cherokee. In September, 1874, he came to South Dakota, and located a home on g-overnment land near Parker. He org-anized the First Baptist church 246 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. at Sioux Palls, and was its first pastor, serving- at the same time as pastor at Luverne, Minn. Other pastor- ates were at Swan Lake (Hurley), and Pinley (Parker). He also did much itinerant missionary work in many of the new settlements and villag^es. He was actively identified with every movement affecting- the welfare of the territory. He was a man of strong- convictions, and held loyally to the truth, and was conscientious in the performance of every duty. He was an able preacher, and a dilig-ent and faithful pastor. He died September 20, 1882. Rev. Truman H. Judson was born in Burling-ton, Vt., November 12, 1828. His early years were spent in Illinois. When a young- man he was converted and became a member of the Presbyterian church. He served seven years as a teacher among the Choctaw In- dians, in Indian Territory. On account of failing- health, he removed, in 1858, to Nora Spring-s, la. In 1860 he became a Baptist. After a course of study at Burling- ton, la., he was ordained in 1864. His first field of labor was a larg-e one, including- Franklin county, in which he org-anized three churches. In 1872 he came to Dakota Territory. His first pastorate was at Elk Point, and while it continued, the house of worship there was built. In October, 1873, he became pastor at Vermillion. During- the three years of his faithful service there the church g-rew in numbers and increased in streng-th. He was also pastor at Swan Lake, and for several years frequently soug-ht destitute fields, and preached the g-ospel to the people. During- a temporary absence from Dakota, he org-anized a church at Doon, la., and also supplied the churches at Parkersburg-, Spencer and other localities. Returning- to Dakota, he was appointed missionary for Minnehaha county. After THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 247 brief but successful service there he returned, broken in health, to his home at Hurley, where he soon after died, March 15, 1884. Among- those who knew him he is held in g-rateful remembrance, for the faithful ser- vices that he rendered, and for his personal worth. Rev. J. R. Eldridg-e was born in Washington county, New York, in 1807. He was converted in early life, and after gfraduating- at Colg-ate University, in 1833, he entered the ministry. In 1843, he came to Wisconsin. In that state and in New York he was a successful pastor on several important fields. He labored also extensively as an evang-elist. It was his privilege to baptize more than one thousand converts. Peeling- that his work was finished, he came to Dakota Territory in 1878, to spend his last days quietly among- relatives and friends. He served however, as pastor at Blooming-- dale, and, so far as his health would permit, he was a welcome supply of pastorless churches. He came to the g-rave in a full ag-e, like a shock of corn fully ripe, and died peacefully and triumphantly, October 6, 1884. During- nearly all of the years of Baptist history in South Dakota there has been a remarkable exemption from death on the part of the pastors and leading- helpers in the churches. Only the few of whom men- tion has been made had passed away from 1864 to 1884. Following- these there was a period of nearly ten years without the loss of one while in active service in the state. In the death of Rev. T. J. Schaefer, at Yankton, February 20, 1895, there went out a brig-ht young- life full of promise for g-reat usefulness. He org-anized the German church at Yankton and Scotland, and was its successful pastor. Rev. Aug-ust Penski, pastor of the German-Russian church at Eureka, died October 23, 1893. Rev. Geo. H. Carstens, pastor of 248 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. the German church at Big- Stone City, died July 13, 1896. Reference has been made elsewhere to the death of Professor Hardy C. Stone, February 11, 1885, while rendering" most efficient service in the management of the Baptist school at Sioux Palls. One of the most successful pastors of later years was Rev. W. H. Stifler, D. D., who died suddenly at Sioux Palls, Aug-ust 8, 1895. He was an able preacher, and one of the best of Bible students. Rev. Geo. W. Preeman, who came to Dakota Territory in 1871, and was the first g-eneral missionary, died at Elk Point, March 13, 1895. Extended reference is made to his life and work and character, and also to the services rendered by Rev. Edward Ellis, in one of the early chapters of this volume. Of the many well-known Baptist laymen, who have been prominent in denominational and educational work, the one long-est identified with South Dakota was Martin J. Lewis. He was born in Berg-en, Genesee county, N. Y., Pebruary 13, 1843. In his early man- hood he went to Madison, Wis., and entered the office of his uncle, Hon. J. T. Lewis, then secretary of state and afterwards g-overnor. In 1869, he came to Dakota and identified himself with the interests of Vermillion. He was successful in acquiring- wealth, but he valued it mainly for what it could accomplish. He was in active sympathy with every g-ood work, especially the Baptist church and Sunday school at Vermillion, and the Baptist educational interests at Sioux Palls, to all of which he gave liberally and frequently.. When the first Baptist association in the territory was org-anized, in 1872, he was elected secretary. He served as treas- urer of Sioux Palls Colleg-e eig-ht years, from 1887, and was treasurer of the state convention three years. MAHTIN J. LiEW^IS, TREASURER OF SIOUX FALLS COLLEGE, 1SS7-189S. TREASURER OF SOUTH DAKOTA BAPTIST CONVENTION, 1893-4-5. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 249 from 1893, filling- both positions until his death. After more than a year of absence from home and country, on an extended tour throug-h Europe, Eg-ypt and Pales- tine, he had landed at New York, and was making- preparations for starting- home, when he was suddenly prostrated by serious illness, and died, June 20, 1896. This unexpected event occasioned wide-spread sorrow among- all who knew him, and appreciated him for what he was and what he did. While always a g-enerous g-iver to every worthy object, he had planned to make larg-er g-ifts to missions and education and to the cause at home. Edward Olsen, Ph. D., third president of the State University, was born in Norway, Aug-ust 29, 1847. While yet a boy he came, with his parents, to Wiscon- sin. Prom early childhood he had an intense desire to secure an education. He was g-raduated with hig-hest honors from Chicago University in 1873. Two years were then spent in study in Germany and Prance. He completed the course of theolog-ical study at Chicag-o in 1876, and was elected professor of modern lang-uag-es in Chicago University. Some time after this he succeeded Dr. Boise as professor of Greek. When the old uni- versity ended its existence, he was called to a profess- orship in the theolog-ical seminary. It was while occupying- this position that he was chosen president of the state university of South Dakota, in June, 1887. The official report of the Board of Reg-ents makes this declaration concerning- him: "Edward Olsen was re- markable in personality and scholarship. He was a natural leader, and a born teacher. His energ-y and enthusiasm were contag-ious. His character was Chris- tian, inspiring-, and uplifting*. His work for the university, will be lasting- in its results. The rapid 250 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. progress made in the brief period of its administration is, in many respects, without a parallel in educa- tional annals. He was the founder of the institution in its present character and scope. He placed the coUeg-iate department upon the hig-hest plane, created a faculty, zealous, able and devoted, and g-athered a body of nearly five hundred students, impressing* upon the entire institution his own noble, g'enerous, and scholarly spirit." To human understanding*, it would seem that the loss of such a man is irreparable, especially as he was taken away in his prime, when he was at his best in physical streng-th and intellectual vig-or. He lost his life, November 3, 1889, during- a visit to Minneapolis, while trying* to escape from the burning- building- occupied by the Minneapolis Tribune. There are five Seventh Day Baptist churches in the state, located in the vicinity of Big- Spring-s,'Plandreau, Dell Rapids, Viborg-, and Parker. One is an American church, one Swedish, one German and two Danish. They have three pastors, and about one hundred and twenty-five members. The church near Plandreau has a house of worship. There are three free-will Baptist churches located at Sioux Palls, Clear Lake ' and Garretson. They have about two hundred members. There are three German-Russian churches, near Bridg-ewater, Wittenberg- and Parker, which separated several years ag-o from the Mennonites, because they desired to adhere more closely to scriptural authority as to doctrine and church polity. Thoug-h not included among- Baptists, they are in hearty sympathy with them. Their articles of faith clearly show that they do not differ from Baptists in any respect except that they believe in feet washing- as a relig-ious service, and that the scriptures make it a relig-ious duty to '*g-reet the THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 251 brethren with a holy kiss." Each of these churches has about seventy members, a house of worship, and a flourishing- Sunday school. There are several colonies of Mennonites in the state. These people differ more or less among- themselves, in belief and practice, but many of them worship with Baptists, and, except on some minor points, are in close touch and sympathy with them. The state org-anization of the Baptist Young- People's Union of South Dakota, was effected, at Sioux Falls, October 3, 1891. It is auxiliary to the South Dakota Baptist Convention, and holds its annual meeting's in connection with the anniversaries of the convention. The following- persons have served as its officers: President, L. Sisson, Sioux Palls ;.D. P. Ward, Sioux Falls; Rev. S. D. Works, Huron; Rev. C. M. Cline, Madison; and Rev. F. W. Cliffe, Aberdeen. Secretary, Miss Lottie Eno, Eg-an; Miss Abbie E. Ross, Brook- ing-s; Miss Elnora B. Pleasants, Aberdeen; and Mrs. A. G. Hislop, Parker. Treasurer, Miss Florence Ramer, Huron; Miss Mary Hansen, Vermillion; Mr. Adolph Ewart, Pierre; Mrs. W. R. Link, Huron; and Rev. J. F. Blodg-ett, Bryant. Among- the Baptists who have been elected or appointed to important public positions in the territory and state are the following-: Rev. J. J. Mclntire, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dakota Terri- tory; Hon. Charles M. Thomas, Justice of the Supreme Court, Dakota Territory, afterwards elected District Judg-e, Black Hills District; Rev. Geo. H. Parker, Deputy State Superintendent Public Instruction. Members of the territorial leg-islature. Rev. Albert Gore, Wm. Shriner, Dr. E. O. Stevens, Joseph L. Berry, A. C. Huetson, Rev. N. Tychsen, I. Atkinson, 252 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. and H. H. Keith. The last named was elected speaker. State leg-islature, Senators I. H. Newby, D. O. Bennett, C. C. Wrig-ht, T. C. Else, Geo. W. Case. Representa- tives, C. R. Wescott* Georg-e Watson, R. J. Odell. The following- Baptist ministers have served as chap- lain in the leg-islature, Iv. P. Judson, T. H. Judson, J. P. Coffman, Jas. Buchanan, D. R. Landis, and G. S. Cleveng-er. The following- list includes the names of all Baptist churches now in existence in the state; the date of its org-anization, the date of the dedication of its house of worship, and, so far as it has been possible to ascertain it, the date of the org-anization of its Sunday school. In a few cases, where two dates are g-iven, they indicate that the first org-anization became extinct, and a new one was afterward formed. The church at Armour was orig-inally org-anized at Huston. It was afterward removed to Armour and reorg-anized there. At Oldham there was formerly two churches, one American and one Scandinavian. In 1897 they were consolidated. On account of a chang-e of location, or a chang-e in the name of some of the early established villag"es and settle- ments, in a score or more of cases, the present names of churches are not the same as those under which they were org-anized, and orig-inally reported to their asso- ciations. Where two dates are g-iven for the dedication of church homes, they indicate that some of the churches have prospered and g-rown until they have been able to move "out of the old house, into the new." THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 253 Church. Vermillion Big Springs ElkPoint... Akron Spirit Mound -- - Bloomingdale (Scand.) Canton _ Lincoln Lodi (Scandinavian) Dell Rapids Hurley Parker Daneville (Scandinavian) .. Sioux Falls Emanuel Creek (German).- Centerville --- Madison - Goodwin — Brookings .- Watertown Huron Big Stone City (German).. Montrose Mitchell Oldham - — Egan - Arlington — .'. Aberdeen Strandburgf (Scandinavian) - Chamberlain Spencer,-. Flandreau Brookings (Scandinavian). De Smet -. Armour Sioux Falls (Scandinavian) . Sun Prairie (Scandinavian). Plum Creek (German) Kimball Estelline Ipswich — Parkston - Pierre Madison (German). Elkton.. Pukwana (Scandinavian).. Emery (German) Gettysburg _. Plankinton Eureka (German) Dell Rapids (Scandinavian) Bryant Spmk Co. (Scandinavian). White Rock... Troy - Orleans (Scandinavian Organized. February i6, i86S. July, 1S69 March 11, 1S71 March 20, 1871 July 23, 1S71 October 15, 1871... J March 18, 1S72 1 March u;, 1885 March 18, 1S72 March 25, 1872 July 21, 1872 December 24, 1872. December 25, 1S72. December 31, 1873. July 4,1875 April 26, 1876 June 15, 1878 , October 26, 1878... August 10, 1879 May 2, 18S0 June 20, 1880 August 23, 1880 May 9, 1880 September 17, 1881 November 27, 188 1 j January 25, 1^2... } October 24, 1S86... February 12, 1SS2. June, i8S2 May 7, 1882 June 25, 1882 December 2, 1883.. February 9, 1883.. j February 23, 1883. Ijuly I, 1894.. March 15, 1883 April 15, 1883 iMay 5,1883 ( February 13, 1887. May 19, 1883 June 3, 18S3 June 9, 1883 June, 1883... July 13, 1883. January 27, 1884 August lo, 1884... October 12, 1884..- May I, 1885 July 2, 1885 July 25, 1885 February 24, 1886. March 14, 1886 May 9, 1886 June 16, i886 jjune 7, 1882 I November 2, 1S86. May 15, 1SS7 July 10, 1887 August 21, 1887.., October 27. 1887... April 8, 1888 Deemcated. JJune 4, 1872 j May 18, [890 jJune 7, 1873 / September 4, 1893.. October, 1S73 (January 19, 1879 ■jJune 10, 1894 February 9, 1896... November, 1878 {- December 7, 1887... October, 1873 (July 18, 1880. ■)June8, 1887 November 15, 1883. September 9, 18S3.. (June 14, 1878 "j November 10, 18S9. November i, 1882.. May 26, 1889- Novembei* 9, 1884.. j November 27, 1881. I December 22, 1889.. December 24, 1881.. JJune II, 18S2 '1 December 11, 1S87.. October 7, 1883 November 20, 1881. July 6, 1S90 December 17, 1882.. January 20, 1884 [•November 25, 18S8. January i, 1882 September 25, 1892. January 2, 18S6 April" "i7,"i'sS4".'.'.^[; December 18, 1887.. December 9, 1883.. October 19, 1884..., ) October 14, 1887.... f July 19, 1893 December 21, 1884. ( October 17, 1883.... •jJune 19, 1893 August 14, 1SS4 April, 1894 -. January 15, 1893... June 16, 1895 • November 21, j886 November 29, 1885 March 11, 1893 June 21, 1891 November 18, 1888 October 10, 1SS9''.. I November 5, 1880. f November 29, 1888 September i, 1889. N ovember 28,' 1888 Sunday School Organized. f-' June, 1872. December, 1872, ' March 20, 1871. June, 1871. May 20, 1888. I March, 1872. \ April 15, 1885. March 25, 1S72.. -August I, 18S0. November 7, 1880. May, 1874. ^July 15, 1873. July 4. iS75- 1S78. June, 1S78. (.1882. August 10, 1879. 1S80. June, 1882. September i, 18S7. January i, 1882. -July, 1882. August 2, 1885. September 18, 1892, July 22, 1883. June 25, 1882. May 8, 1884. December, 1887. } January, 18S6. September, 1884. I May 6, 1883. r April 3, 1887. July, 1^5. April I, 1892. Ijune, 1883. 1884.'" February 3, 1884. January 15, 1893. October, 1884. May 3, 1885. July 2, 1885. 1889. 1S84. 1888. May 9, 1886. [1887. Majr 8, 1898. April 4, 1S8S. April, iSq6. May, 1893. November 28, 1889. 254 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Church. Organized. Dedicated. Sunday School Organized. Faulkton Pierpont.-. _. Hecla ^ .- Bradley Lake Nor(len(Scandmavian) Bushnell Dead wood ..__ Spring- Valley(Scan6inav'n) Bruce.- Gem... Rapid City _-. Miner Co. (Scandinavian). Delmont Hetland Onida Huron (Scandinavian) Beresford Washinj^ton Hot Spring^s . Custer City Hill City- Salem (German) Avon (German) Woonsocket Lead City Zion (Clear Lake) Lake Preston Clark Highland ._ Chancellor (German) Yankton & Scotland(German) Turkey Valley (Scand.) Oelrich .". Beaver Basin Parkston (German) Warner Verdon Blendon Vernon Conde Fairfax (German) Rose Effington Napier (German)... \Vindoin Vernon (Scandinavian) Hayti.-.. Mound City (German) Summit (Scandinavian) Choteau Creek MillviUe White \ April 27. 1S88 ) May 14, i8g6 May 15, 188S June, 1888 September 8, 1888. September 17, 1888 September 21, 1888 October 31, 1888... November 11, 1SS8 January 4, 1S89 "March 24, 1SS9 Junei6, 18S9 June 16, 1889 June 19, 18S9 June 27, 1S89 July 12, 1889 December 19, 1SS9. . April 8, 1S90 June 26, 1S90. August 27, TS90... August 29, iSgo... September i, 1S90. December 4, 1S90.. December 15, 1S90. April 26, 1S91 September 3, 1891. October 20, 1891... March 22, 1892 March 27, 1892 May 8, 1^2 July 15, 1892 November 22, 1892 February 8, 1893.. March 5, 1S93 March 26, 1S93 January 13, 1894... January 28, 1894... February 22, 1894. March 10, 1894 May 26, 1894 June 14, 1894 June 30, 1894 March 17, 189S November 9, 1895. November 14, 1896 May 16, 1897 June 19, 1897. September 22, 1897 Deceiuber 29, 1897. March 15, 189S October 9, 1^99 October 23, 1898... January 22, 1899 July 28, 1889.. September 12, 1S97. September 6, 1891 March 27, 189^ March 15, 1891 November 21, 1897. October 26, 18S4.... September 20, 1891 August 28, 1892. September 11, 16 September 10, 1893. November 22, 1891. February 2, 1896 October 16, 1892. March 13, 1893. December 23, 1894. May 21, 1893 October 21, 1894... 1899- June 9, 1897. ( April, 1S88. "1 May, 1^96. April 27, 1889. j'une, 1S93. April 6, 1890. November 25, i March 29, 1890. April I, 1890. April 20, 1890. June 16, iSgo. November i, 1892. 1880. 1885. July 16, 1893. 1892. October 9, 1892, August, 1892. April, 18SS. 1889. January i, 1892. August 14, 1893. March 26, 1893. February 21, 1894. February, 1894. February 17, 1895. April, 1S94. June 21, 1894. March 25, 1895. April, 1896. August 10, 1895. March, 1891;. July IS, 1897. March S, 1899. June, 1898. February 27, 1S98. December 25, 1898 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 255 Reference has been made elsewhere to the fact that on account of the uncertain future of early settlements in a new country, the drifting of population from one locality to another, the changes in location occasioned by the building of railroad lines, mistakes in organiza- tion, or adverse internal and local conditions, a good many churches organized, especially during the first and second decades, are no longer in existence. The following churches are now extinct: Yankton, February 3, 1867. Webster, March i, 1885. Gay ville, June 7, 1873. Groton, March 12, 1885; May 26, 1885. Sunnyside, September 15, 1877. Beaver, March 16, 1885. Oakwood, June 2, 1878. Clear Lake, March 25, 1885. Fountain, June 4, 1878. Myron, June 6, 1885. Big Stone, November 17, 1881. Marvin, October 7, 1884. Ordway, July — , 1881. Andover, June — , 1885. Redfield, March 29, 1882. Dayton, October — , 1885. Alexandria, November — , 1882. White Lake, May i, 1886. Columbia, April — , 1882, Garfield, July — , 1886. Castlewood, May 6, 1883. Warner (German), July 20, 1886. Silver Lake, July 14, 1883. Bijou Hills, September — , 1886. Blunt, November — , 1883. Miller, October 27, 1887. Howard, December 23, 1883. Wessington Springs, April — , 1887. Sand Creek, August i, 1883. St. Lawrence, July 14, 1889. Beulah (Alpena), November 27, 1884. Beulah (Sioux Falls), June 28, 1891. Vilas, July — , 1884. Salem, May 12, 1893. Afton (Carthage), February 20, 1885. Huffton, July 11, 1894. Only six of these thirty-six organizations had houses of worship. The buildings at Yankton and West Sioux Palls (Beulah church), are in possession of the Amer- ican Baptist Home Mission Society. When the church at Vilas became extinct, the house of worship there was sold to the Congregationalists. When the state capitol was located at Pierre, the members of the church at Blunt removed to Pierre, and their house of worship was removed to Onida. The Myron church was a little country organizatioii in Faulk county, which passed out of existence on the death of their 256 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. first and only leader, Deacon Purdy. Their chapel, which was a sod house, soon fell into decay. The feeble org-anizations at Alexandria and Columbia died under the weig-ht of heavy indebtedness, occasioned by building- too expensive houses of worship. Future Baptists, who may have an opportunity to look over the early files of associational minutes, during* territorial times, will see some unfamiliar names of churches and localities. Most of the churches alluded to still exist, but under different names. Reference has been made elsewhere to the chang^e of location and name of many early villag-es, caused by establishing- stations a few miles distant, when railroad lines were built, in the early days of the territory. For this reason Dakota City became Parkston; Huston was chang-ed to Armour; Freedom, afterwards Dover, was changed to Spencer; Spring- Lake to Oldham; Finlay to Parker; Swan Lake, afterwards Bethel, was removed to Hurley; Fountain passed out of existence with the birth of Brooking-s; Arling-ton was first called Nord- land, and later Denver. The Akron church had a series of names, including- LeRoy and Portlandville. The church at Madison was orig-inally known as the Union Baptist church of Lake county. The name of the church org-anized at Lodi in 1871, was chang-ed to Blooming-dale in 1878, and to Spirit Mound in 1895. This shifting- of locations and chang-ing- of names was a part of the experience of former days and has not been necessary in later years. The following- table has been carefully prepared for the purpose of showing- the location of Baptist churches by counties, g-iving- also the number of members in each church, and the name of the' association to which it belong-s. The names of churches located at county seats are printed in small capitals. FIRST BAPTIST CHUKCH, MADISON. CHUKCH ORGANIZED OCTOBER 36, 1S7S. FIRST HOUSE OK WORSHIP DEDICATED NOVEMHER 27, iSSi, PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED DECEMBER 22, 1889. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 257 LOCATION OF BAPTIST CHURCHES BY COUNTIES. Counties. Churches. S Association. Plankintgn... II 64 115 93 18 4 20 32 14 121 6 10 .1 -i3 Sioux Falls. Beadle j Huron Central. j Avon German I Emanuel's Creek /'Brookings German. I Brookings Scandinavian. ) Bruce Northeastern. \ BushnelL. / Elkton V White. i Northeastern. /Abbrdeen. Gem .. Hecla N orth western S Highland Northwestern. / Verdon.. V Warner. Northwestern. Brule.- \ Chamberlain ( Pukwana . . Sioux Falls. Scandinavian. Buffalo... Butte . Campbell.. \i ^6 366 72 35 40 no 40 s 10 129 % iS 65 75 7 14 21 47 32 7 25 % 13 26 Charles Mix. Choteau Creek German. Clark J Clark \ Bradley Northeastern. f Vermillion. Southern Dakota. Clay iLodi . ..::"':":""■" Scandinavian. Southern Dakota. Codinfjton Watertow^n . . Northeastern . ( CusTEK City Black Hills. Custer... Black Hills. \ Millville Black Hills. Davison . j Mitchell Sioux Falls. Day Pierpont Northwestern. Deuel... Douglas j Armour Southern Dakota. Edmunds . . Ipswich Northwestern. Black Hills. ■jOelrichs j Faulkton Black Hills. Northwestern. Faulk I Orleans Scandinavian. ( Big Stone City (Troy Northeastern. Gregory. Fairfax.. .. f Bryant Central. J Estelline ' Hayti Central. Hand 72 li 137 170 Hughes. Pierre Central. Hutchinson ( Parkston \ Parkston Southern Dakota. German. \ Plum Creek... Hvde Jerauld , X7 258 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. LOCATION OF BAPTIST CHURCHES BY COUNTIES.— (Continued.) Counties. Churches. Association. Kingsbury - Lake Lawrence . Lincoln Lyman Marshall .. McCook McPherson Meade Miner Minnehaha Moody Pennington Potter Roberts Sanborn Spink Stanley Sully Turner Union Walworth . Yankton Iowa Nebraska.. fDE Smet I Arlington ^ Hetland I Lake Preston. [.Oldham 3 Madison I Madison J Deadwood... "j Lead City i Canton < Chancellor / Lincoln Salem Montrose Spencer Eureka Washington . Berton Sun Prairie Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Dell Rapids Dell Rapids Zion (Clear Lake). Flandreau Egan Rapid City Gettysburg Effington White Rock Vernon Vernon Windom Summit Woonsocket Conde Rose Spink County Onida Parker Centerville Daneville Hurley Spring Valley Beresford Big Springs .. Elk Point ... Yankton Turkey Valley. Akron Napier 36 II 4 43 181 244 iiS 5^ 58 42 20 37 69 210 57 70 94 SO 12 29 81 10 10 7 5 23 14 44 22 18 20 39 i8 33 IS3 36 Central. Central. Central. Central. Central. Sioux Falls. German. Black Hills. Black Hills. Southern Dakota. German. Southern Dakota. German. Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls. German. Northwestern. Scandinavian. Scandinavian. Sioux Falls. Scandinavian, Sioux Falls. Scandinavian. Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls. Black Hills. Northwestern. Northeastern. Northeastern. Northeastern. Scandinavian. Northeastern. Scandinavian. Sioux Falls. Northwestern. Northwestern. Scandinavian. Central. Southern Dakota. Southern Dakota. Scandinavian. Southern Dakota. Scandinavian. Southern Dakota. Scandinavian. Southern Dakota. German. Scandinavian. Southern Dakota. German. Totals — Counties, 53. Churches, 106. Members, 5,835. Associations, 8. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 259 The following- summary has been compiled from the foreg-oing- table, with four additional columns, g-iving* the ratio of members to population in each county, the number of houses of worship and parsonag-es in each county, the seating capacity of the former, and the total reported valuation of church property. SUMMARY OF MEMBERSHIP AND CHURCH PROPERTY BY COUNTIES. Counties. 1 II ? V i 1 6 6 1^ 1 % i a 11 if bo I 1 i '0 CIS eS If Aurora 3854 7786 9612 10840 14036 5435 714 1575 8251 7096 3326 '5316 4758 'a 1042 5225 3180 2779 ',^ \X 804 4503 7206 6288 3552 I 2 2 6 6 2 7 129 179 iSi 192 31 I to 550 I to 60 I to 54 I to 60 I to 73 I to 151 Beadle 200 •550 575 300 75 $2600 00 4200 00 13600 00 Brookings Brown Brule 4580 00 600 00 Buffalo Butte Campbell I I 2 4 3 2 I I 2 I 2 2 3 4 125 w 513 no 85 29 'A 85 i 25 102 I to 340 I to 246 I to 73 I to 16 I to 65 I to 58 I to 38 I to 124 I to 190 I to 61 I to 57 I to 50 I to 06 I to 89 I to 260 I to 51 .... ""475' 1000 300 150 300 150 200 150 ISO 200 2000 00 Charles Mix 800 00 Clark 4550 00 Clay - 20600 00 4S00 00 2500 00 Custer Davison. . 7500 00 Day 1500 00 1400 00 Deuel 2700 00 Edmunds .. . . . 2500 00 5150 00 Fall River Faulk .. . Grant 200 330 2000 00 Grecrory 800 00 Hamlin 2500 00 Hand Hanson I 3 72 93 319 I to 64 1 to 34 I to 36 3 150 200 650 2000 00 5000 00 66co 00 Hutchinson. Hyde 5 2 2 3 137 425 170 126 1 to 61 1 to 13 I to 84 I to 86 3 2 2 2 600 650 350 450 5500 00 Lake 9000 00 iiooo 00 Lincoln 4500 00 layman Marshall McCook 3 2 162 1 to 85 1 to 39 3 3 575 175 4500 00 McPherson 3000 00 Meade 4347 14 49 9125 137980 00 260 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. SUMMARY OF MEMBERSHIP PROPERTY BY COUNTIES. AND CHURCH -(Continued.) Counties. q c CLhC/3 ^ S d o o Pi2 o o Cn, Brought forward Miner Minnehaha - Moody --- Pennington Potter Roberts Sanborn Spink ._. Stanley Sully. Turner Union Walworth Yankton Akron, la Napier, Neb. Seventeen Unorganized Counties West of Missouri River 230071 6448 5163 2464 7509 4326 S964 Sn 1641 "837 10515 2480 "305 4347 106 4S1 41 81 10 103 22 77 49 to 47 to 43 to 157 to 64 to 246 to 73 to 292 to 116 91^5 ISO 1200 ISO 175 250 400 $137980 00 1400 00 28900 00 1200 00 5000 00 2500 00 1600 00 1200 09 386 283 to 53 to 30 to 37 200 1 150 900 2700 00 10850 00 7800 00 47S 200 17s 4500 CO 3800 00 Soo 00 3354 Total.. 70 330975 ro6 S83S to 56 14445 $206230 00 Prom the foreg'oing' tables it is ascertained that 106 Baptist churches are now in existence in South Dakota, with 5,835 members. These churches have seventy- seven houses of worship, with a seating- capacity of 14,445. There are eig-hteen parsonag-es. The total reported valuation of church property is $206,230.00. According" to the state census report of 1895 the popu- lation of the state was 330,975. The ratio of Baptists to the total population is one to fifty-six. The ratio of American Baptists to the native born population is one to sixty-eig-ht. The ratio of Scandinavian and German Baptists to the foreig-n born population is one to thirty- eight. , The ratio of the Scandinavian and German Baptists to the population of foreig-n birth and foreign parentage is one to seventy-three. THE BAPTIST HlSTORY OP SOLfTH DAKOTA. 261 South Dakota is divided into seventy counties. Sev- enteen of these counties, all of them west of the Mis- souri river, are unorg-anized, most of them being- included in the Sioux Indian reservations. The total population of these seventeen unorg-anized counties, not including- Indians, is 3,350. These are mainly ranchmen, eng-ag-ed in raising- cattle and sheep. Of the forty-three org-anized counties, all are east of the Missouri river except Butte, Custer, Pall River, Greg-- ory, Lawrence, Lyman, Meade, Penning-ton and Stan- ley. Six of these counties, Lawrence, Meade, Butte, Penning-ton, Custer and Pall River, include the Black Hills. The Baptist churches in the Black Hills are located in Lawrence, Penning-ton, Custer and Pall River counties. With the exception of the Black Hills, nearly all of the settled portion of the state is east of the Missouri river. This includes thirty-eig-ht counties. Many of these counties are very larg-e, containing- from thirty to forty townships. There are Baptist churches in all of these counties except Buffalo, Hand, Hyde, Jerauld, Marshall and Walworth. Churches formerly existed in Hyde and Jerauld counties, but they became extinct. There is only one Baptist church in each of the follow- ing- eleven counties: Campbell, Charles Mix, Coding-- ton. Day, Deuel, Edmunds, Hanson, Hug-hes, Potter, Sanborn, and Sully. The following- nine counties have one or more Baptist churches, but none at the county seat: Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Hanson, Miner and Spink. In twenty-seven of these counties Baptists ar^ represented by a church at the county seat: Aurora, Beadle, Brooking-s, Brown, Brule, Campbell, Clark, Clay, Coding-ton, Davison, Doug-las, Edmunds, Paulk, Hug-hes, King-s- bury. Lake, Lincoln, McCook, McPherson, Minnehaha, 262 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Moody, Potter, Sanborn, Sully, Turner, Union, and Yankton; also in Greg*ory county, and in Custer, Pall River, Lawrence and Penning-ton counties in the Black Hills. Sunday school statistics are seldom reported fully and accurately. The following- statistical table has been carefully compiled from all available sources, but it does not represent all that has been done. For sev- eral of the early years no report from the Sunday schools were presented at the annual meeting's of the association. It is only within the last ten years that reasonably full statistics have been furnished: THE BAPTIST HiSTORY OP SOLfTH DAKOTA. 263 SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS. FROM 1867 TO 1898. Year. Oh 1869. 1S70. 1871. 1872. 1S73- 1874- 1876. '§77- 1S7S. J879- 1880. 1881. 18S2. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886. 18S7. 1888. 1889. 1890- 1891. 1892. 1893- 1894. 1895- 1896- 59 SO S3 65 59 ;g 131 237 232 240 594 504 lu 603 497 712 726 728 735 658 732 332 394 l'^ 526 694 1057 770 1039 938 1422 1512 1530 4028 3528 3865 3773 4604 4158 491 1 4946 5152 5496 5143 5598 391 449 417 623 585 739 1239 877 1201 1069 1659 1744 1770 4624 4032 4422 4301 5207 465s 5623 'X 6231 5801 6330 $101 74 152 69 16 130 134 181 232 232 165 los 179 Total 237 28 271 20 272 54 221 83 623 40 481 96 298 14 282 64 173 12 176 20 $126 25 128 21 143 48 149 45 132 59 "7 55 253 57 253 37 35086 4^778 500 88 668 06 703 39 1169 98 1279 10 1237 68 1092 55 2253 55 172466 1927 91 2315 01 1924 84 2276 39 2152 15 2327 16 $126 25 128 21 143 48 251 19 285 28 "7 55 253 57 253 37 35086 668 06 703 39 11699S 1279 10 1474 96 1363 75 2526 09 1946 49 2551 31 2796 97 2222 98 2559 03 2325 27 2503 36 1408 $3298 74 $25676 42 $28971 56 In compiling- the following- table of contributions for benevolence and expenses since the beg-inning- of our history in South Dakota, numerous omissions and defects were found in the early records. During- the first decade, and long-er, sufficient care was not taken to collect and report the statistics of the churches. The whole amount reported as raised by the churches for benevolence and expenses is $570,356.86. Of this amount, $73,854.60 was for benevolence. The full amount of contributions for benevolence was undoubt- edly much larger. The thoughtlessness of many 264 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. churches in electing- their officers, and the indifference and carelessness of many of these officers in keeping their records and making- reports, are mainly respon- sible for the inability to make a full and complete show- ing- of what has been done. REPORTED BENEVOLENCE AND EXPENSES. 18671898. > X J3 d ;?; I 2 3 3 7 12 13 14 IS H \t 19 21 22 l6 38 44 f 1 85 99 103 104 103 104 los 1 E 6 Z c £ § 1 c c 3 n 1 P W c 1 (J 6 1 ;867 IS69 T870 tS7t 1872 157 273 377 427 486 600 715 1^' 679 932 ;i S 3853 3972 4171 4473 5009 5463 564s 5703 5S35 "'is' 29 """3"44 "M'i 2007 28 1S46 06 $44 00 49 16 213 52 263s 92 82 85 55 49 9D 12 14 894b 175 34 ^^7 37 445 20 269 10 435 55 353 73 89765 1009 80 104999 965 20 1484 42 167s 41 1592 49 1398 22 971 60 <'97 38 689 40 731 95 $2250 00 29 00 2385 00 1702 75 1917 52 1267 GO 2271 62 I218 70 4274 50 3497 62 10476 46 1987798 18154 44 20277 59 24123 51 23802 37 37608 72 42216 35 3^973 59 36965 30 312S9 ri 31894 68 33935 32 $2294 00 78 86 2610 52 187^ T874 $12 03 10 00 5 00 1871^ 1739 10 2023 34 1499 29 2475 61 1256 69 4496 96 3758 10 I 0695 54 20682 7(, 24343 68 2027S 67 20806 51 22424 87 27523 63 30109 92 39755 79 34448 44 419S3 29 51500 10 45382.66 41992 96 3^901 21 37737 67 40609 72 1870 $3 00 $8 00 3 10 $146 74 147 93 985 18 41 16 CO f H 67 79 36 38 164 20 86 00 13^ 85 123 47 361 37 34843 445 57 39^ 59 729 10 1172 37 2323 17 1457 27 1064 45i 140S 24 1258 44 1536 05 1845 1735 1643 52 56 86 42 loi 91 147 55 145 21 197 03 160 59 219 01 184 48 a? 5 159 91 20S 60 175 29 257 17 1881 1882 1883 188^ 188s 1886 18S9 1890 1891 1892 1S93 z 20 00 2654 700 357 67 56 3^ 27898 1220 03 2264 94 23975 262 37 539 95 826 32 1851 7> PI ^^ 65641 391 15 997 97 73 29 III 09 53668 1 174 84 2010 67 461 73 67665 2353 02 384 94 2360 31 1739 52 4200 90 3416 24 1439 07 1072 99 1321 43 1305 20 $607 I 50 $15972 81 $13250 94 $2_83S 41' «io752 54 $24941 46 $496502 26 $570356 86 Adding- the total of the amounts raised for benevo- lence and expenses by the Sunday schools to the table of contributions from the churches, we have the follow- ing result; THE BAPTIST HISTORY OP SOUTH DAKOTA. 265 BENEVOLENCE. Churches $ 73,854 60 Sunday schools 3,298 74 Total - --- . $77,153 34 EXPENSES. Churches $496,502 26 Sunday schools 25,676 42 Total-- ._---..------ $522,178 68 Grand total for benevolence and expenses- -$599,332 02 In the table of reported benevolence and expenses from the churches it will be observed that the column headed state missions is practically a blank until 1894. Until a few years ag-o all contributions, not intended for foreign missions and other objects, were designated for home missions. Since 1895 changes have been made in the blank forms for annual reports to the associations, and annual offerings are made for the use of the state convention in the prosecution of missionary work within the state, under the existing plan of co-operation between the South Dakota Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission Society. The two states of South Dakota and North Dakota are separate and distinct in their missionary operations, but the long-continued relationship of their citizens together during the existence of Dakota Territory created a mutual interest in each other's welfare. The first Baptist church in North Dakota was organized at Pargo, January 27, 1879. The beginning of active mis- sionary work dates from the appointment of Rev. G. W. Huntley as general missionary, June 1, 1881. His field of operations was at first mainly along the line of the 266 THIi BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Northern Pacific railroad, and extended from Minne- sota into Montana. Ten churches were org'anized in 1881, and these were formed into the first association, which met at Grand Porks, November 5, 1881. The first recorded baptism in North Dakota, was that of Mrs. J. D. Burg-ar, at Grafton, June 24, 1882. Mr. Huntley was a faithful and successful leader in missionary work. He served until June, 1892. His successor, Rev. C. H. Holden, served until July 1, 1894, when Rev. W. L. Van Horn was appointed and continued in the work until 1898. The latest statistics g-ive the follow- ing- items of information concerning* North Dakota Bap- tists: Churches sixty, including- thirty-seven Ameri- can, seventeen Scandinavian, and eig-ht German; number of members, 2,630. There are forty-three houses of worship, and ten parsonag-es. Total valuation of church property, $78,000.00. In this volume the author has attempted to record the history of Baptist missionary work from its beg-inning- in South Dakota, and the later prog-ress and g-rowth of the denomination. Only the pioneers in an effort to establish a new and better condition of thing-s, can know the hardships and sacrifices involved in such a movement. Prom the earliest settlements, harassed by Indian depredations, to the later years of peace and safety from hostile foes, many have had a larg-e exper- ience in enduring- the privations and suffering-s of pioneer life. To carefully lay the foundations of a new state, and to wisely shape its character and destiny, and thus promote the welfare of g-enerations yet to come, involves a great responsibility. To have a part in such an undertaking- is a g-reat honor. That the framers and builders of South Dakota wrought faith- fully and successfully has been clearly shown. THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 267 In this foundational work Baptists labored from the beg-innin^, and have ever since borne a larg-e and con- spicuous part. They were more than Baptists. They wer^ busy toilers in constructing- the frame work and perfecting" the development of a new state, midway between the oceans, on whose broad prairies might be established* homes, the abodes of peace and happiness, and schools, the aids to intellig-ence and culture, and churches, the helpers to piety, and devotion, and loyalty to God. To those who wroug-ht in these formative years all honor is due. While special mention has been made of the pioneer missionary and the pastor, they had faith- ful co-workers in the multitude of consecrated and earnest laymen in the churches. The leaders in these early relig-ious movements showed remarkable fidelity and zeal, and persevered in the face of many difficulties. But much of the success achieved was due to the earnest devotion and self-sacrificing- spirit of many of the wives of missionary pastors. The services that they rendered, thoug-h less conspicuous, were none the less worthy of commendation. Their patient endur- ance of hardships and trials, and their fidelity in bear- ing- quietly the burdens incident to their position, entitle them to an honored place among- the builders of a new civilization in the g-reat northwest. It was the work of such co-laborers, the missionary pastor, and his faithful ally in the home, and the loyal helper in the church, that made the Baptist history of South Dakota. APPENDIX. Many of the facts mentioned in this volume are famil- iar to those who have borne a part in the founding- of a new state, and the establishment of a new civilization in the northwest. But one of the objects contemplated in the preparation of this historical record has been to furnish information to those who shall come after us. This summary of what has been done, and the results accomplished, has been carefully collected from a mul- titude of sources, while they are still available, as a matter of interest to those who are now living-, and also that we may "tell it to the g-eneration following-." Future readers of the Baptist history of South Dakota may desire to have some basis of comparison to enable them to estimate the g-rowth and prog-ress of the denomination, from the present time onward to their own point of vision. For this reason, in addition to the statistical tables g-iven in preceding* chapters, the following- tables of anniversaries of the associations and of the state convention, are here published. The list embraces all of the associations that have existed, representing- all nationalities. It includes the Sioux Valley and the James River associations, which were voluntarily disbanded in 1893, and out of which, with the addition of a number of new churches, were formed four new orgfanizations, known as the Sioux Falls, Cen- tral, Northeastern and Northwestern associations: THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, 269 xn iz; o l-H ;^ H < H H 1— 1 *^ u H o u m m rr < <1 Pq O tn P^ ^ < ^ W w U3 > t— 1 m ^ ^ <1 •diqsaaquiaj^ •pazqdBa •S3ij3ani[3 i^^'^S i:.K^S-s8 R^3;S-8 8^ S'S'h « = ji-S = 5i = J-S'-' = !32|' :g.;gc.s^ = jS^J.- j w ^>' K^-^ h w 72 w ^^' d w fe pi d H ^ o o c c c ' ' : ' o o o 2 o c c ; ;^xi c c. - (U 2 S°v> >-.^= >.;>.& !?S^^ hc^l |KS § S S K^' h5 hA^^ ^ 0^ ^-^M C/3 -^-^-A^ d fe S h; h5 S HH HH- < •JB3A tj C C t^ 3 o o 2 C^ — — — = >=' V, c c n .- >i.ti >i o " "J • c c c e c c 0) >^dw-'o *.-= _ V- £:« c so o > 3 >-CL, ca: x=S CO b! C 3 — — ! c t« a3'g 0- ^ ii t, r: u43:i>t2 o.- CIS bo >>o 4) t: c 3 > S o CO a< 2 'L - 3 '5 our (u rt . (J t. 0) ^ ID S) >fcl •tic ° c< rt to o o-l 'i 270 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. a -M « o O 1 1 ^ O "^^ 1— 1 H < o H o rn in 0) < fe < o rn W ^ t— 1 « HH ^ ^ < 00 0\ N N N •pazjidua J^^.SS^cgcg^^f'SS^ •saiiajnijQ a)cci>.t>.Os-' '-' N M N fo-* S.^ J ^J S.H wo t« « o ^ ^cq ^ h4 d .< ^d t-j •< d 1?(U4J1>CJW d d d d d d d d d d d si p U U I-4 « , o) lU C C NNNNS:t«CJU(_,(_.'r''r' PQ DS M M (Q 1-; H H < •< d d a> ^ lU D V O 2Soo„ tititi 2i ii o g •'5 -5^ ■" •> >• ij aj ra r, i; k«.uj « "! :i ?c«7); ..c«<^HdWHHa;^^'d ^d7^ D 4J^ pqKQW^QP^MK^Q N ro -^in^; 00 oc GO 00 do 00 c fXy t/> w CT) cc do ^ ^ THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. 271 f* fi rt- r*i ro e. O i-i t1- ■<*- ■^ ■ C O mil >- u S ^ 5 t" • c M 3 o 2 rt ca s bchfic-S S4S i::.!«. t«"E 5 so: n :^ o o rt i-:,o SdHH-dJI^'d ddp4w6^d;^ rt C C 3 4) 1) ? U t< IS W 'd ^^'^ tj'^ ^O 0\«-«J 1-1 \rtNOO t/1 vOOOO " fO 1-.00 I>^ "i- c c VVort Nort Hupp mpbell .McC Q'^Scj^ HJS^^d ^ H H \>.B ^ '^^ o H ;« 5-' rt U Si^M^^ fepq -Oii 05 So^-^-O -*1 pQOtoPiHl 03 >i>i h^ ^ « u t c ou i«»;^>1 H 05 J. p. Co B. Mors B. Mors Mrs. E Mrs. E. 1 ' ^.t^.b aj H u^ wu •^^•S • ffi .a .1^ W^S-^d U) ' 1 (0 "O 3 C C c.- Sio Ble Jvfo Del fl^fl^ .g^S^ f^frl f^rr!-.iOi-i N 00 00 CnOsO = u^ O M JJ.c'S»3l ^^■^iS ^Q^^fe <5c/5q;?^. 1^* ; : : I"? ibi H ^^m ^ iim H u 05 05 C. H. C. H. C. P. W. P A. C. < I I I 1 I hi 0-? c c Ph &Sb.r^-n Sher H. P R. V Smit Stai ^8 2^* dOOQO QCQOd QQQQQ ^^S^S^S tS e« r! e« rt rt C C C G C rt 03 rt C3 (jS J3^.£:X.C (/)(/) cn c/i u) ^^^^^ hhhhh j : i : i c « S c « S t^ =«-= 3.«a;&'S SDhQWO mil Q N VON <^ N IS - rOPO lyT tfl en 5r tn 1^ cS O^ O QOHQH .Oh^OO 't; c c c 1 n O 9 O ' O (fl [fl 7) *^ Oh « t^ Oi ? IS] :| ♦J'O O <-> 4-1 C3 a! OJi c< 2^jq R:?? «l 8v8^;:,<2=« Tj-Jo^^C r^ id i i i n . ' c ; SQ '« • it^^SJ ^^SiSs feScjfe^ ^^d^^ ^i ul^'dofe ! ; H , 1 H iJ u H "^•^ 1 1 1 '^^ c c c -A-A2 2S OJ !: <£^^> ll^lll o I y 272 THE BAPTIST HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA. .£ o O o o o ^ o < en <1 o xn < > •diqsjaquiaj^ •pazpdug •saq^jnqo N N N M N r^ PO -^ -"i-ioioo vU t>0O CO 00 I '*• r^ Ti- TT tm/5 xo »rj invo o) 00 o " o ^o \o "O 00 CO oo 00 00 o c o o . cc99i'i'«ooooooii!^>:(fl(/, (UDu 0^ (73 7} "^ ;?; ^ '-i'-i<; «]^ <; >— ,h-, >U X3 .!£ c 03 C E N S CO p-a s;:^ >< "ia D o >r i^ifi-^ .H> Oh n tic ' biC ''tj ' bfo ' ij£ 'fi'a'o be be bio 5^. o bt" 'O'O tn 'abx.c rt o u.i HjeOWQffiQD3P3DpqQc/3QmMOQc/3QP3Q( T}-ir5vo t><« O 00 oo'c^ cz)cocooooocO!»c«co <» !» c/y(»^c« C» VO !>• t^ O OsC/j t>. t^ t-» Q V bci> > . (U • . o Pq| 11 o ^ . ^^^ -Ob OJ if . . Ok wok; I ■'-' tn O (Li I be > (^ u) ■ P^ 4-. « ri 'J2 iwlli;>^iu-- y cj 01 u:: ^ >!> dW i" o o e o > iz; ■diiisaaquiai^ ^j - « « ?< rorOPOO'^' ,0 t/1ir)vi| ■ IT) in IT) VO lO •pasiidBg j •saqoanqo j N rc ^ c< « > :i cfiCC<^^Kcfie •J^3A « N re ^ lO n t>.CO CnQ - N ro-riOO CO!yD /^OOOQOQC/DCOOQ C^Q^C^C^O^O^O oococo55oo55cooi5&5c»cJ5oococSoocy5 INDEX. PAGE Aberdeen 5° Achterback, W .- 1S7 Adams, S. G 55 Aid from Home Mission Society 221 Akron — 4°, S3 Alexandria 5°"S^ American Baptist H(^me Mission Society 2 iS-222 American Baptist Missionary Union.. ..222 American Baptist Publication Society 223 Anniversaries of Associations.. 269-272 Anniversaries of the Convention. --273 Anderson, Peter 225 Antisdell, C. B ....222 Arling-ton 50 Armour — _. 50, 53 Associations 1Q9-209 Black Hills 64, 206 Central 205-209 German 55, 204 James River 55, 202 Northeastern 205-209 Northwestern 205-209 Scandinavian 55, 205 Sioux Falls 205-209 Sioux Valley... 55, 205 Southern Dakota 42, 19S Associational Statistics 269-272 Black Hills 272 Central 271 German 270 James River 271 Northeastern 271 Northwestern 271 Scandinavian 272 Sioux Falls 271 Sioux Valley ..270 Southern Dakota 269 Atkinson, I 251 Avon _ 189, 192 Baptist Ministerial Union ...214 Baptist Young- People's Union 64, 251 Baptists in State Offices ...271 Barker, M 55 Benevolence and Expenses 264, 265 Beresford 112, 171 Berton 176 Beulah 51,67, 6S Big- Springs... 39, 163 Big Stone City 56, 187-1S9 Biographical Sketches 245-250 BlacK Hills 63, 146-161 Black Hills Associotion .--64, 206 Blendon 67 Bliss, E. M £5 Bloomingdale 41, 165 PAGE Boggs, S. A, D 222 Bon Homme ...77-7S Blunt 50, 51 Bradley 66, 6S Brookings 50, 53, 140, 170 Bryant 68 Brownson, T.J 136 Burkholder.J. C 55 Bushnell 66 Canton 41, 106, 127-130 Carstens, Geo. H 247 Case, Geo. W 251 Catholics, Roman 33, 241 Census 19, 21, 29, '30, 34 Central Association 205 Chamberlain 50 Chancellor 1S8 Chinese Converts ^-..154 Chinese School 154 Choteau Creek... iSS Church edifice fund 221 Church property. Value of 260 Churches, First organized .34-40, 104-107, 1 14- 1 19 Churches now^ existing 252-253 Churches now extinct 51, 66, 255 Churches organized in last decade 66-67 Churches, Table of by counties 257-25S Churches, Names and location changed, - - - 51. 53, 153. 256 Clark _ 67, 68 Clevenger, G. S —SO, 140-145, 155 Coffman, J. P 53, 105, 119, 130, 131-139 College, Sioux Falls 228-237 Commissions to missionaries 221 Conde.- 67, 68 Congregationalists 35, 36-37, 241 Conklin, V. B 106, 112, 120, :27i3o, 132 Convention, The State.. 210-216 Convention, Organization of 210-214 Convention, Anniversary of 273 Co-operation, Plan of... ---63, 215 Coppoc, J. L 106 Cressey, Geo. A ---55 Cressey, E. T 233 Cressey, C. G 55 Crocker, Chaplain G. D 39, 96-101, 105, 114 Croeni,J.i 56, 1S7 Dakota or Sioux Indians _ _ 19, 21, 28, S3, 149, 238-244 Dakota Territory. 15-25 Organization of 21 Area of.. ...17 First building 18 First white settler 17 First forts built iS INDEX. 11 PAGE Damm, P. H 54-179 Daneville 41. 166-168 Deadwood ifjo, 154, 155 Decade, The last.. 60-73 DeLand, J. L 153 Delmont- 66 Dell Rapids 41, 122-126, 172 De Sinet 50 Dexter, T. A. B 158 Dyall, Thos.. 139 Early Beginnings 27-29, 33-47 Edminster, J.. 55, 126 Eldridge,J. R 49, 24.7 Elk Point- - 39, 93, 105 Elkton 50 Ellis, Edward 54, 57-59, 61, 230 Else, T. C 252 Emanuel Creek ..186 Emery _. 56, 191 Engler.J. 56 Episcopalians 35-37» 241 Epstein, Dr. E. M 54, 236 Estelline 50 Eureka.. 187, 188 Extinct Churches, List of 51, 66, 255 Fairfax — 18S Faulkton ...66 Finwall, C. W —55, 170 Flandreau 27, 67 First white settler 17 First building iS First general missionary 32 First church organized 32, 34, 37, 76, 92 First Baptist church organized - 37-39,74-85,87-92 First Baptist pastor 40, 163 First missionaries 33-34, 46-47 First Baptist missionaries ..-34, 37, 46-47, 74-S5 First ordination . 105 First dedication.. 36-42, 108 First baptism _ 163, 165 Frazee, President J. S 237 Freeman, Geo. W 37-39, 74-8s, 87-92 Freewill Baptists 250 Furman, A.J 54 German Association 55, 1S6-19S, 204 Cierman Baptists .'. 56, 64, 186-198 Gettysburg... 68 Gifts and loans to churches... 221 Godwin, Edward 5S Goodwin 50 Gold , Discovery of 148 Gore, Albert ---34, 37. 74-85, 89 Grasshopper scourges 45, 77, 119, 130. 134 Haigh, Dr. Wm. M --43-45, 219 Hall, Frank D 70, 224 Hayti... ...67 Hecla 66 Hessel, Theo 54, 179 Heston, President J. W 237 Highland ..67 Hill, Wm. T ---53, 106, 115, 122-126, 132 Hill City ...150-156 Hilton, A. W 49,53, 120, 133, 245 Horning, F. M 515 Hot Springs _ 155 Houses of Worship, List of 68, 253-254 Houses of Worship, Valuation of ...260 Houses of Worship, During last decade 68 Huetson, A. C 251 Hurlbutt, E. H 105, 107, 110-112, 132 Lodi Louisiana Purchase. PAGE Hurley 41, 107, 119 Huron. ^, 23, 24, 50, 176 Immigration 22, 30, 48 Indian tribes 238-244 Indian hostilities 19, 21, 28, 76, 79, 83 Indian treaties 20, 29, 240 Indian reservations 149, 240 Indian missions and schools. ...241 Ipswich 68 James River Association 55, 202 Jonhson, Dr. G. J., Correspondence of 87 Johnson, Geo. T 223 Johnson, Andrew 164 Judson, L. P 34,37.74-85,89 Judson, T. H 41, 49, 246 Keith, Hosmer H 232, 233, 252 Lake Norden 174 Last decade 60-73 Lewis, Martin J 107, 248 Lewis and Clark expedition ...18 Liebig, August _ ..198 Lincoln 112, 129 Lindahl, C. A 225 40,166,179 - 15 Wladison 56, 68, 124, 187 Matzke, B 55, 1S7 Mclntire, J, J 40, 53, 106, 113-121, 251 McKay, E. B 2^4 McKee. C. H 55, 156"," 158 Mennonites 250 Meredith, E. B 55, 230.234 Mfthodists 35, 37 Millville 67 Mini^terial Union 214 Missionary societies. Relation to 217-227 Missionary summary of last decade 60-73 Mitchell 50, 13S Montrose 253 Morehouse, Geo 233 Morehouse, Dr. H. L 75, 222 Moraran, Dr. T.J. 222, 243 Morse, Benjamin .'...135 Mound City 1S8 Mueller, W. H 190 Newby, I. H 252 Newell, L. M 55 Newton, F. H 55 Nordberg, A. B 54, 164, 171 Norton, H. E 55 North Dakota, First settlement 17, 33 North Dakota, First religious organizati6n..32 North Dakota, Later organizations 34, 46-47 North Dakota, Benjamin Terry, murdered... 46 North Dakota, James Tanner, missionary 46 Northeastern Association 205.209 Northwestern Association.. ..205-209 Odell, R. J 252 Oelrich 157 Oldham 170, 1S5 Olsen, Jacob 142, 165, 169, ifeo-182 Olsen, President Edward.. 249 Olsen, P. M J-..225 Olthoff, 56, 1S7, 191-195 Onida... '. ^ 66 Orcutt, A. S 50 Orleans 175 Parker 41, 107, 119 Parker, Geo. H ---55, 251 11] INDEX. PAGE Parkston 50, 67, 190, 256 Parsonages 260 Patterson, C. N... 55 Pembina. 26, 146 Penski, Aug-ust 247 Peters, T. R 220 Plan of co-operation 63, 215 Plum Creek 56, 196 Population of Dakota Territory 19, 21, 22, 29, 54 Presbyterians 3S-37> 241 Price, A. B 235 Progress of the work 48-59 Pukwana ._ 172 Rapid City 150, 155 Ratio of Baptists to population 259-260 Reed, Isaiah W 223 Rockwood, J. E... 3S, S6-95 Rose _. 67 Ross, Walter 50 Ross, L. ..23S Roman Catholics -^-33) 241 Russian Baptists ---5^, 64, iS6-i9§ Saba, A. E 223 Salem 67, 68, 193 Sandquist, E 54, 164 Saunders, J. E 50 Scandinavian Association 55, 182 Scandinavian Baptists.. .39,41,64, 162-185 Schaefer,T.J.. 188, 247 Seventh Day Adventists 165, 167, 179 Seventh Day Baptists ...163, 250 Shanafelt, T. M... 61, 154, 218 Shriner, Wm 251 Silene, C ...164 Sioux Falls 27, 107, 124, 170, 212 Sioux Falls College 213, 228-235 Sioux Falls Association . ..205-209 Sioux Indians 238-244 Smith, Henry W 160 South Dakota 26-32 Admission of.. 25 Area 26 First settlements 27-2S First religious movements 34,35 First Baptist missionaries 34, 37-39, 74-S5 First churches 34-36, 40-41 Population --19, 21-24, 29-30, 54 Spencer .'_ 256 Spencer, Dwight 153 Spink County 173 Spirit Mound 68, 256 Spring Valley 175 Statehood secured 23-25 State Convention 210-216 State Missions... 215,265 State University 236 Statistical Review.. 345-267 Stone, Prof. H. C 231, 268 I PAGE Strandberg _. ,70 StundistS jgy Summit __ 177 Sunday school. First 37, 69 Sunday schools, List of ...253-254 Sunday school statistics 70-253 Sunday school missionaries 70, 223-224 Sundt,J. B 55, 170 Sunnyside 112 Sun Prairie 171 Sutherland, O '.'.".224 Sutherland, John 225 Swartz, Andrew 164, 182 Territory organized ___ 21 Territorial officers ...21 Tilgner, A. L ...igi Treaties with Indians 20, 29, 240 Tremaine, Dr. John 69 Trustees, Sioux Falls College 232-233 Turkey Valley ' 177 Tychsen,Nils.. ...54, 16S, 173 Tyndall 189 Ufford, E. A 234 Uline, G. A 233 University, State 236 Valuation of church property 260 Verdon 67 Vernon ---67, 177 Vermillion 39,42, 70, 82, 92 Wales, B. S 70, 223 Walhalla 32, 34, 35 "Walsh, Prof. F.J ---232, 234 Ward, David P 70, 224 Warner 67, 188 Watertown ---5o Watson, George 252 Webb, J. N 49, 129, 134, 179,219 Wescott, C. R .' 252 Weddel, P 222 Weston, M. D 42 Wheeler, E. G 224 White 67 Widen, C. M... 171 Wild Bill 160-161 Wilkinson, F. H 158 Williams, Dr. O. A. 220 Windom 67 Winegar, S.J. 55, 138 Woods, Dr. H. C 220 Woman's Foreign Mission Society 225 Women's Home Mission Society 226 Woonsocket 67 Yankton 34, 37, 39, 42, 75-85, 87, 92, 13C Yankton and Scotland 18S Young, J. H 40, 43, 105 Zion 67, 68 ^-< .7 -ir ) A ) v-^ P ^\/ £ a-"^ •^^ JB - -^^ifJ^^^^^ '^^ AX 2 i nf 3^ \'^ ^ ^v ivA L 3 rv*^ "JS^^