Monday, June 18, 2012

Lilah Morton Pengra Visits Sarah "Aunt Sally" Campbell Grave Marker#4

Picture Credit Erika Jordan
At the 8th Annual Galena Ghost Town Fund Raiser, Lilah Morton Pengra took the opportunity to visit the Sarah “Aunt Sally” Campbell grave site.  It is located in “Vinegar Hill” Galena SD Cemetery. 


Lilah shares the following as an update to my July 2009 article.

Picture Credit Kathy Aplan
"My picture was taken at the Sarah Campbell fourth marker by Kathy Aplan.  The date of death is now correct.  The headstone and carving was donated by the owner of Rausch Memorial. They plan to attach a plaque to the back of the monument to explain the historical context for the use of “Aunt Sally” and “colored.”

There was wonderful weather that day at the Galena Cemetery. The steady stream of people visiting the cemetery seemed willing to listen for a few minutes to my story about Sarah Campbell. It was gratifying to see so many young people interested in history. The connection I felt was not to the site but to Campbell. I wondered if she would find humor or vindication in all these white people wanting to know more about her and her adventuresome life.

I’m currently working on a short article for the journal Greasy Grass. The Lakota who were in the 1941 movie They Died With Their Boots On were never given credit. Even the repositories where the film and still photographs are archived do not know their identities.  I hope to rectify that and give proper credit. And, my other project is to finish my book about Isaiah Dorman, tentatively titled Isaiah Dorman: Issues, Answers and More Questions. That project will get started again when I am up to another long research trip."


Note:  Isaiah Dorman was an African American who perished with General Custer.  I hope to add more information about Isaiah that does not distract from Lilah article. Check back!


>>> June 25, 2012:  General Custer and Isaiah Dorman died June 25, 1876 so this is a fitting day to add Lilah's explanination of Isaiah research and book in work.


"I started researching Isaiah when two bits of information collided. First, it is widely believed that Dorman was a runaway slave who hid with the Lakota before the Civil War. This belief, when I first read it, seemed to be based on rather flimsy evidence, none of which could be verified. I reacted to that because it is a myth and stereotype that all people of African-descent were slaves. The second bit of information I ran across by accident. I found Isaiah Dorman, with his name misspelled, on the 1860 federal census. He was living at Fort Kearney, NE where he worked as a servant to Capt. Alfred Sully and reported his birthplace as Pennsylvania. Other domestic workers on the same census page were noted as slaves. There was no such indication for Dorman. That would seem to challenge the story about him running away from slavery. It has taken 12 years but I have amassed a pile of evidence, some circumstantial, some documented, that he was born free in Pennsylvania. However, there are many holes in the documentation, long periods of his life that are undocumented and some mysteries surrounding his family relationships. Hence, I am approaching the book as an open-ended investigation with some of the puzzle pieces assembled and some still in a pile to be sorted. However, a picture is beginning to emerge that will, I hope, put an end to the myth of a slave background."
~~~ Dick,thanks for posting up-to-date articles about interesting Hills history. I should add that when Custer split his forces, Dorman was with the troops led by Reno. He was killed between the woods and the river in Reno's rush (retreat?) to the high ground. Dorman's wife was Dakota so her relatives were not happy that he was with the campaign. Lilah ~~~


Picture Credit Chuck James







Select on following image for book reviews


Monday, June 11, 2012

David Treber DHS1958 Dies at Age 72


David William Treber

January 25, 1940 - June 9, 2012


David William Treber was a man who was easy to love and respect. He was surrounded by his family and friends until his death Saturday, June 9, 2012.


Internment will be Friday, June 15, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis with Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard providing Military Honors. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 15th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Rev. Jeff Otterman officiating. David was born January 25, 1940, in Rapid City, SD, to Commander William O. and Edith (Nelson) Treber. He graduated from Deadwood High School and joined the US Army in 1958. David was an Airborne Ranger Recondo with the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, serving until 1962.

He married June Carol Korpi on July 16, 1960, in Lead, SD. David attended college in Colorado and Spearfish. He worked for the City of Lead, Black Hills Power and Light, Clark Tire and Oil, and Homestake Mining Company as a gold refiner until his retirement in 1997. David and June moved from Lead to Spearfish in 2000 and became members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, June of Spearfish; daughters, Terri Lynn (Dana) Cooper of Newcastle, WY, and Donna Rae (Will) Reece of Highlands Ranch, CO; granddaughters, Kristina (Justin) Sokol of Rochester, MN, Larissa (Joe Jording) Cooper of Denver, CO, and Madison Reece of Highlands Ranch, CO; sister-in-law, Donna O'Brien of York, PA; brother-in-law, John (Karen) Korpi of Sandy, UT; and numerous friends and family including June's Kumpula cousins.

David was preceded in death by his parents.  John Treber, his grandfather, was one the original members of the Deadwood Business Club.  John helped guide the 1876 Deadwood until he died in 1936.

See sign on left side of picture

Memorials have been established.

Write in David's guest book

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Long Awaited Deadwod Days of 76 Grand Opening is June 16, 2012 by Norma Kraemer/Rose Speirs

Days of ’76 Museum Opens to the Public

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History will host the opening of the Days of ’76 Museum on Saturday, June 16, 2012 The $5.25 million museum is a project of the Days of ’76, City of Deadwood and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission. Following an official ribbon cutting by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce at 9:00 a.m., the public is invited to tour the new facility. Refreshments will be served.

The Days Museum opening will include an art show featuring Belle Fourche artists TR Chytka and Mick B. Harrison.  Chytka will display his bronze artwork, including the new Billy Etbauer bronze.  Harrison, who specializes in oil paintings, will be showing new artwork, along with the eight-painting “Events Series” rodeo poster art used for the Days of ’76 posters from 2003 – 2009, and 2011.  Both artists’ work is for sale.

Todd Hoffman will serve a chuck wagon meal in front of the museum at 11:00 a.m. The chuck wagon is $7 per plate served, and Hoffman will donate one dollar per plate to Deadwood History.  The chuck wagon will be available until it is sold out. 

The Black Hills' newest museum commemorates the history of the award-winning Days of '76 Celebration and rodeo, and features a stunning collection of American Indian artifacts.  The museum also includes the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in the state.

Admission to the museum is $7 for adults; $4 for children ages 7 – 13; free to children 6 and under; families $25.  The ’76 Museum is wheelchair accessible. Summer hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily.  Open year round.  The Days of ’76 Museum is located at 1876 Drive, Deadwood. 

We inspire the global community by preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Deadwood and the Black Hills in the context of the American West through exceptional exhibits, innovative educational programs and access to extensive collections in unique settings.

Days of ’76 Museum, Adams Museum, Historic Adams House, and the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.

40th Anniversary of the Great Rapid City Flood

My Uncle, Earl Huntington was on the Rapid City Council so was given many active assignments to deal with the flood destruction.  One of the most challenging was he was responsible for the temporary mortuary holding using refrigerator semis.  He never quite got over the horror.  Midway in this NBC video special there is a group being shown on TV.  I believe he is near the center in a dark shirt.


When the main flood video starts, mouse over the video, select on options, then view in full screen . . .


Monday, June 4, 2012

Who is this DHS1939 Graduate? by Jerry Bryant

Jerry Bryant a long time web site supporter and contributor is asking if any viewers can identify the following lad.  Contact me if you have an idea.



Here is a list of male names of DHS1939 Graduates:

Warren Anderson, Dale Beardshear, Jackson Berry, Albert Bobrick, Alan Coburn, Lowell Ellis, Dewey Gulley, Charles Hardin, Henry Hurley, Ralph Johnson, George Larson, Robert McCamish, Jack McMaster, Roger Nesbitt, Lawrence Ogilvie, Donald Pringle, Robert Ruth, Earling Sanborn, James Sanders, Bernard Shea, James Sherman, Anton Sperling, Dean Starr, Donald Stoner, Clyde Thompson, Howard Thompson, Arnold Thoresen, Caryle Timm, Francis Vancas, Orville Whitelock, Duane Winburn, Walter Wiswell. 


Assuming Francis Vancas is a male (usually females are Frances).  Earling Sanborn - male?


DickD - June 20, 2012:
Contributor Yvonne says Francis is "Shorty" Vancus.
Contributor Jene say he knew Francis as "Goose".  His guess on the lad's name is Duane Winburn based on family likeness.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

5th Year Anniversary of Publishing for dhsclassmates

It has been an amazing experience!  Thanks to my special supporters and viewers from all over the world.


Thanks for the great comments:

Blogger Florida Beach Basics said...


I know from experience just how time-consuming and frustrating blogging can be. dhsclassmates is such a treasure of information and so often brings back memories of "the good old days" - thanks, Dick, for the effort and hours (and hours and hours) you've expended to bring us all closer together. I look forward to another five years of it! marge
June 3, 2012 5:13 PM
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Blogger Janet Hendrickson Cottingham said...
I so enjoy reading this blog-- not only information about classmates but history of the area as well. Thanks Dick for doing this. Janet Hendrickson Cottingham DHS Class of 64 Now living in Vancouver WA.
June 4, 2012 4:27 PM
 Delete
Blogger Peggy Huhta-Frank said...
Hi Dick,
Congratulations on reaching the 5 year mark with your DHS website!! It is such a great accomplishment!! (Hundreds of hours of dedication represented there!)

I and enjoy going "back in time" and have found so many interesting things that I would never have known about Deadwood and the surrounding area, as well as all of the changes that have and are taking place there today.

I want to say thank you for giving so much of your time and talent to this great website so that so many can enjoy it!!

Peggy
June 14, 2012 8:16

The Deadwood Mystery Series by Ann Charles

The following material is copyrighted by Ann Charles


Ann Charles

Dear dhsclassmate viewer,

Once upon a time, I thought my crush on Deadwood, South Dakota was going to be just a summer fling. Boy, was I wrong. I had fallen head-over-heels. Deadwood had gotten under my skin. Its golden history filled my mind with daydreams; its promising future spurred tales that needed to be told.

Nearly Departed in Deadwood is a contemporary mystery full of colorful characters that have been taking root inside of my noggin for almost three decades. The seed was planted when I was a young teenager sitting on the bench outside of the old Prospector Gift Shop on Main Street, waiting for my mom to get off work. Over the years, the seed sprouted as I hiked all over town, strolling around Wild Bill Hickok's and Seth Bullock’s gravestones at Mount Moriah Cemetery, sitting on the steps outside the Deadwood Public Library, walking up and down Main Street, perusing the tourist shops.

As times changed, so did Deadwood. The drugstore where I used to buy candy, the clothing store where I bought my favorite Levi’s, and the Prospector Gift Shop are all gone now. At first I was sad to see them go, but then I realized that Deadwood had to transform and grow in order to survive. Just like I did.

A couple of years ago, I was driving down Strawberry Hill on my way into Deadwood when an idea hit me. It was a “what if” moment that sparked the fire of a story in my head. This time, the “what if” involved a single mom, living in Deadwood, struggling to make ends meet with two kids—twins—for whom she had to provide. I had one young child and another on the way at the time, so taking care of kids was front and center in my mind (and my body).

As I drove through Deadwood that day, memories ran rampant in my mind, and the story you hold in your hands began to take shape. I could see it clearly. I’d name the heroine Violet, an old-fashioned name. I could hear her voice; see her in her favorite purple cowboy boots. I knew exactly the location of the realty office where Violet would work, the street she’d live on, and how I’d pull Deadwood’s past into the story and intermingle it with the present.

Over the following month, I plotted this story. My poor husband was forced to listen to my ideas morning, noon, and night; there was no shutting me up. Then he caught the Deadwood bug, too, and he joined me in brainstorming and planning. Before I even wrote the first line, I knew that one book was not going to be enough to tell this story, but I had to start somewhere. Finally, after months of writing, I reached “The End” of Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the first book in a series, with much hooting and hollering in celebration.

Now, after several rounds of editing and a lot of polishing, I want to share Violet’s story with you. If you have half as much fun reading it as I had writing it, you’ll close the book when you’re finished with a big grin on your face—especially since you know there is more fun to come.

Thank you for joining me in this adventure. Hold on to your hat!

Welcome to Deadwood.
Ann Charles, Award-winning Author

Nearly Departed in Deadwood—Winner of the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense AND the 2011 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements.

Meet Ann
Ann will be in the Deadwood/Lead area at the end of June, with signing dates at:

Lead Deadwood Arts Council
Saturday, June 30th from 8AM to 10AM
309 W. Main St.
Lead, SD

Adams Museum
Monday, July 2nd from 11AM to 1PM
54 Sherman St.
Deadwood, SD


Book 1 is released /available in  hard copy and E-book




Book 2 is released /available in  hard copy and E-book






Book 3 is released /available in hard copy and E-book