Ralph Freemont Pitsor

GEDCOM Note

Name: Ralph F Pitsor
City: Not Stated County: Meade State: South Dakota Race: White Roll: 1877797 DraftBoard: 0

Text of Ziebach County, SD History (1982) - pages 181 - 201

This file is the text of the book, "South Dakota's Ziebach County, History of the Prairie", published in 1982 by the Ziebach County Historical Society, Dupree, SD

The book is still in print and can be ordered from: County Auditor Box 68 Dupree, SD 57623

Cost is $10 (Add $3 for shipping and handling)

Permission to publish this book in electronic form was given by Jackie Birkeland, member of the Historical Committee. This book is copyright, 1982 by the Ziebach County Historical Society, Dupree, SD.

Scanning and OCR by Terri Tosh <chipnter@@lnd.com>, final editing by Joy Fisher, <jfisher@@ucla.edu>.

Chapter 11 BUSINESS PLACES IN DUPREE

DUPREE MANOR by Ruth Edwards In June 1971 contracts were okayed by the Housing and Urban Development for a $5 million housing program for the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Within this contract, Dupree was provided a contract for dwelling units for the elderly persons. Lloyd LeBeau was executive director of the Cheyenne River Housing Authority at Eagle Butte. By September of 1971, construction was started on the new manor for Dupree. This building is a one story building consisting of twelve apartments with hall and two community rooms. Each unit consists of a kitchenette with stove and refrigerator furnished, a large Unknown room, and a bedroom, bath, closet and linen closet. Each unit has an outsiDedoor and a door to the community room. There is a kitchenette in each community room and a washer and dryer in the laundry room. July 1973 saw the tenants ready to move in and enjoy the wonderful facility. These housing units were available to all low income families regardless of race, creed or color. No sooner had the Dupree Manor been opened than it was found that more apartments were needed. By January 1974 all apartments were occupied. In the south wing were Ethel Lammers, Minda Anderson, Christina Oster, Anna Red Bird, Edna Pesicka and Jobe Marrowbone. In the north wing were Hilda Jacobson, Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Johnson, Fritz Stoltenberg, Fred Linn, Jim Makes Trouble and Jim Circle Bear. Soon an addition was built to the north of the Dupree Manor, joining with the north door. This new addition is very similar to the first unit, with six apartments, a community room and bath. This also was soon fully occupied. There have been some come and go, some deaths, and some removed to nursing homes. Life in these apartments is very nice. At one time for over a year the Nutrition Program from Eagle Butte served a noon meal in the new community room, for all elderly persons in this area. Later they set up their own kitchen in the Masonic Hall and now serve noon meals there.

[photo – Grandma Pesicka (Edna), a much loved Manor resident (deceased)]

[photo – Dupree Manor]

[photo – The Nutrition Center at Dupree is another service for Senior Citizens. The Center is presently housed in the Masonic Hall. A new building is being erected]

[photo – Main Street of Dupree about 1920. Clever photography shows straight north, straight east and straight south]

PHILLIP 66 STATION ON HIGHWAY 211 When Highway 212 was completed, Elmer and Nancy Brammer built a new service station which was located on the north siDeof the highway, north of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator. They opened for business the first day of hunting season, October 17, 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Brammer continued to operate the business with Texaco products until 1958 when they sold to Sydney Syverson. Sydney Syverson sold the bulk plant to Ronald Stout, now Dupree Oil Company. He operated under Texaco for one month, then went to Phillip 66. The Phillip 66 subleased the station to Elmer Petersen and Harry Fairbanks. Later Ronald Stout built the Siesta Motel just to the west of the station. It consists of 11 units and Unknown quarters. It is presently run by Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Stout. J. T. has had the bulk business since Ronald retired. They have built a large warehouse. Ronald Stout sold the station to Gerald Frame. Gerald Frame sold to Lloyd and Carla Edwards who operated as Edwards 66 until 1981 when they sold to Jim and Donna Dunbar. Dunbars sold in 1982 to Farmers Union Oil Company of Dupree on July 19, 1982. Ronald and J. T. installed new gas pumps which includes regular, lead free and diesel under a new computerized system. Its pumps are called the Gasboy Cardtrol Fuel Management System and is available 24 hours a day. This computerized system installed at the Dupree Oil Company in Dupree is one of only four systems now being used in the west river area. They also sell wholesale items such as tires, oil, antifreeze and other articles.

[photo – Dupree Oil County]

[photo – Siesta Motel]

FARMER'S COOPERATIVE ELEVATOR The elevator built in 1918 was known as the Dupree Equity Exchange. Managers from 1918 to 1939 were John Walters, Omar Vance, Verdo Rinehart, Russell Conrath and Henry Wald. In 1939 it was reorganized and then became the Farmers Cooperative Elevator. It has increased its capacity from the original 17,000 bushels to about 21,000 in the early 1950's, and another 75,000 bushels in 1958 and 1959. Managers from 1939 were Elmer Brammer, J. B. Olmstead, Vincent Fehlman, Vincent Erz, Calvin Bertsch, Delbert W. Miller, Poland "Dude Burgee, Lowell Peterson and Lloyd Batein. The original elevator was destroyed by fire in February of 1974. A new elevator, the present one, was built during the summer and was dedicated on November 14, 1974. It has increased its capacity to 160,800 bushels.

[photo – Farmer's Co-op Elevator]

BAGLEY GRAIN COMPANY DUPREE by Ralph Bagley Our records are not particularly helpful in determining on which dates elevators were built because those facilities were updated so many times with new equipment and various changes that the original identity was all but lost. Bearing that in mind, it seems the elevator at Dupree may have been started in the early teens. It was there when my father passed away in 1919 and when I started working in 1929 during school summer vacations, this was one of the approximately fifty country grain elevators we were then operating. I recall back at that time the elevator manager at Dupree was a Lafferty. Then after him came a long succession of managers. One that I remember was John Bigler who was always dependable. Virginia Woodward continues the story: "Lawrence Woodward of Dupree bought the Bagley Elevator in November, 1969 with Willie Schuler continuing to manage it. Later Sidney Schad and Dennis Aberle worked there. The elevator was then renamed to the Woodward Grain Company, but continued to sell wheat to the Bagley Grain Company in Minneapolis. There was storage room in the elevator and bins for about 182,500 bushels at this time. In April 1975 the elevator was sold to Reese Williams from Philip, South Dakota and Jerry Patterson of Kadoka, South Dakota, and renamed the Dupree Elevator. Then in 1978 it was sold to Lawrence E. Woodward of Dupree for his personal storage and still has the name of Woodward Grain on it."

[photo – The original Bagley Elevator, now called "Woodward Grain Company"]

LAKOTA THEATRE (formerly Lyceum Theatre) The building was built in 1910 for Andrew Berglin. It was used as a community hall for a number of years. In 1919 it was maDeinto a theatre and the first "silent" pictures were shown. A player piano was used for mood music during the shows. In the early 1930's, "talkies" took the place of the silent pictures. In 1939 and 1940 the theatre was again used for a community hall as the Legion Hall was being used as a schoolhouse while the present school building was under construction. In February 1945, the theatre was leased by Earl Neumeister of Philip, South Dakota from John Berglin of Skokie, Illinois, the son of the late Andrew Berglin. In 1947, Mr. Neumeister bought the building and equipment and did extensive remodeling to the building, making it more suited for a theatre building. At this time a marquee was erected on the front. Also all new projection equipment and a new screen were installed. Early in 1955 an improvement was maDeagain to bring the latest in modern movie presentation "Cinemascope" by which the width and depth of the picture can be enjoyed by the theatre goers. The present owner of the theatre is Ernie Gottschalk who lives in Vale, South Dakota. He has done extensive remodeling of the theatre at various times. Raymond Kintz is the current manager of the now Lakota Theatre and we are able to see the latest movies.

[photo – Lakota Theatre]

LEWIS EVERYDAY SHOP In 1910 when the town of Dupree was struggling to make a start in the west, Fred E. Mellow started the drug store that is still in existence and at the present time is owned by Jerry and Eileen Lewis and managed by Berneita Miller. Fred E. Mellow was owner and operator of the drug store from 1910 until 1925, when he passed away in his home in Dupree. His wife then operated the store until 1926 when she sold it to Eric Blauert, who operated it until the fall of 1931, when it was transferred to Arthur R. Hurst. The drug store was operated in the same building until February 9, 1939 when it was destroyed by fire, along with six other business places. During the summer and early fall of 1939, the drug store was operated in the front part of what was in the early days known as the Broberg Garage or Main Building. During the summer of 1939, A. R. Hurst built the present drug store building, which is now located on the old site of the Farmers State Bank.

[photo – Lewis Everyday Shop]

FARMERS UNION OIL COMPANY by Mrs. Kraft in "Call of the Prairie" (updated) The Farmers Union Oil Company now is located on the site where once stood Keller's General Store, across the street west of the Farmers State Bank. In the early days Frank H. Haagen had a machinery and hardware store on the south lot now occupied by Farmers Union Oil Company. In 1929 this store was purchased by William and Joseph Ogard where they ran a John Deere Implement and General Store until 1932, when the buildings on lots one, two and three were destroyed by fire. In 1935 the West River Oil Company purchased lots one and two and built a service station. Virgil and Jewel Nesland were the owners and in 1937 they purchased lot three to complete the unit. Jewel Nesland operated this station until 1952, when it was sold to Margaret and Arthur Engel. In that same year a group of farmers formed a stockholder's co-operative and bought the filling station, equipment and bulk plant from Engel. The business was incorporated under state law and became "Farmers Union Oil Company of Dupree". After the sudden death of Roy Kraft in 1970, Mel Richardson became manager. Mel Richardson moved to Arkansas in 1977 and Lester Starr became manager. The Farmers Union Oil Company became affiliated with Cenex and have steadily increased their business. In 1982 they bought the Phillip 66 station, garage, car wash and store on Highway 212 from Jim and Donna Dunbar and operate two stations, garages with farm supplies and tank trucks to deliver fuel anywhere in the area.

[photo – Farmers Union or Cenex Oil Company]

ZIEBACH COUNTY ABSTRACT COMPANY Ziebach County Loan and Abstract Company was incorporated June 20, 1916 by A. A. Karley, C. G. Karley and F. A. Hoffman. January 22, 1920, a meeting was held to amend the Articles of Incorporation to change the name of Ziebach County Loan and Abstract Company to Ziebach County Abstract Company. About June, 1911, W. L. Merrick and others incorporated the Ziebach County Abstract Company, but it was inactive from June 1912 on. It was confusing as to mail addressed this way. On June 19, 1920, the Charter and By-Laws were vacated and a Certificate of Amendment was issued July 15, 1920. From May 18, 1929 to June 15, 1936, the company was owned and operated by O. S. Nygaard, J. M. Askin and H. R. Hommedal. R. W. Douglas purchased the entire capital and stock June 15, 1936 and he managed it until Lincoln Abraham purchased it on July i, 1949. Edward Towe owned it from September 1, 1950, managed by Lincoln Abraham, until it was sold to Robert W. Barnett January 19, 1951. Robert W. Barnett sold it to Dean Vance who managed it until he sold September 25, 1959 to Dennis D. and Vivian Thomas. The Thomas' owned and operated the business in their home until November i, 1975 when they sold to Raymond and Lorraine Kintz. The Kintz' are presently running the Abstract business in conjunction with the Dewey County Title Company of Timber Lake, which they acquired on April 1, 1979. Lorraine Kintz is the present President of the company and Raymond Kintz is Treasurer.

DUPREE BARBERS Taken partly from an article by Mrs. Ben Anderson for "Call of the Prairie" Even as far back as 1910, possibly earlier, Dupree had barbers. Roy Warren was the first but he left in 1912. Then Archie Hughes, who homesteaded two miles from town, barbered in the Pinnicker Pool Hall, later moving to the Robinson Pool Hall. He had three children born while Unknown at Dupree. He sold out to August Bakeberg in 1915. One of the first barbers was a Frank Bennett but no dates or information are available. Tom J. Walsh, who came out from Minneapolis in 1911, worked in the Crew's Pool Hall, Robinson and Club Pool Halls. He also owned the Rix Pool Hall. George W. Johnson, a barber, returned and re-opened his pool hall and barber shop in 1911. In 1913, Gus Bauman moved to Ziebach County, homesteading 15 miles southwest of Dupree. Mr. Bauman barbered in the Pinnicker Pool Hall while; still Unknown on his homestead. In 1915, he moved to town and opened his own shop in 1918, next door to the Farmers State Bank. He was laid up with the flu from October 1918 to August 1919. In November 1919 he built his own building north of Stewart's Print Shop. In 1927 he sold out to Ira Campman and wife, who were both barbers. In September 1944, he returned and bought the building owned by Edythe Pitsor and barbered until May 1946. At this time he sold the building to the City of Dupree, which was then used for the Municipal Liquor Store, and he left Dupree. August Bakeberg took over the Hughes Barber Shop and Pool Hall in 1915. Barbers who worked for August were Russell Walling and Pete Askin. In 1918, August went into the service and Omar Vance leased the Barber Shop and Pool Hall from him. He returned in 1920. He employed Harold Lange in 1920, Vernal Vance in 1926, Bill Perron and Clif Stromer. August was killed in an automobile accident in 1935. Vernal Vance took over until 1938 when Clif Stromer purchased the Club Barber Shop from James Larson on December 8, 1938. In February 1939, a fire swept through the block, destroying the barber shop and many other buildings. In September 1937, Ralph Pitsor moved his barber shop down from Faith. He employed Roy Pitsor, Clif Stromer and Vernal Vance. Beulah Vance was a beauty operator. After Mr. Pitsor's death, the shop was operated by Vernal Vance and also Jim Archer, who drove down from Isabel. On July 4, 1942, Ben Anderson came over from Bowdle, South Dakota. His family joined him November 15, 1942. He operated the Fit's Barber Shop for about two years. He then owned and operated his own barber shop next door to Salisbury's Store until his death in December 1975. At the present time we are without a barber in Dupree. We have a beauty shop operated by Cheryl Batein, who calls her business the His and Hers Hair Hut and she caters to both men and women. Jay Burgee owned and operated a shop in the late 60's or early 70's.

[photo – Ben's Barber Shop]

DUPREE CITY BAR In the spring of 1946 the City of Dupree bought the building between Dr. Creamers' Office and Post Office from Gus Bauman, barber, and opened the Municipal Liquor Store. It was operated at the same location until 1975 when they bought the Salisbury Store, on the corner to the south. The spring of 1982 the upper story was removed and an "A" roof put on. This was a great improvement to the building. The building was originally built by George Hall. The building was used as a garage for many years with several people running the business. George Hall, Orville Lemke, Mr. Marin (Mrs. Marin had a beauty shop in their apartment on the second story), Art Flick and Francis Foltz. When M. B. Salisbury's grocery store was razed by fire, he bought the building in 1937 from George Hall. He had it remodeled and operated a meat market. He also carried a line of groceries and hardware which became self service in 1946. Grocery carts were unheard of in this area until the 40's. The customer stood in front of the counter, presented the grocery list, either orally or written, to the clerk and the clerk brought the merchandise to the counter. Carts were a daring innovation.

[photo – Dupree City Bar]

DUPREE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT by Jeri B. Lemke Reports of exactly when the Dupree Volunteer Fire Department was formed are sketchy at best but in an early book of minutes that were kept, it was noted that the State of South Dakota first recognized the Department as a fire fighting entity in 1933 and that Henry F. Burgee was appointed as Fire Chief in 1934, serving in that capacity until 1942. Those records further revealed that the first siren was purchased in 1936 and is still in use today, along with a newer model, atop the fire hall that was built in 1973. The first pumper and truck, a Dodge, was purchased in 1939. Currently, the oldest operating fire vehicle is a 1948 open-top Ford and while it is still functional, it is only displayed in parades during the summer months and in demonstrations for school children. However, the DVFD has come a long way since those days. As reported earlier in this article, the new fire hall was completed in 1973 in cooperation with the City of Dupree and Ziebach County, and nearly a dozen units take up the floor space. Since 1933 the Department has acquired units capable of extinguishing fires ranging from propane gas, to house fires, to the ever-present possibility of the prairie fire in South Dakota. The acquisition of fire fighting units has not taken up all the firemen's time. They are extensively educated in the use of Scott AirPacks, Civil Defense equipment, the use of foam for petroleum fires, search and rescue, the use of the "Jaws of Life (vehicle extrication tool), and extensive first-aid kit with nearly all 22 men being certified, some with over 100 hours of training. The Department has also won awards for their skills at various fire fighting competitions. The DVFD was incorporated in 1975 and must maintain a 22-man roster at all times. And while their roster is highly trained, they further protect their ranks with insurance. "Work Nights" are held at the fire hall every Thursday night because a rotation system is employed in the upkeep of the equipment and a training schedule for the newer firemen is maintained. Many things have been done to raise funds for operation through the years, but the traditional "Fireman's Ball" has remained the favorite one. Door prizes are still used to lure the dancers through the door and donations make up over 90% of the Department's income. Other facts relevant to the income of the Department are that the Department joined the WAR HAWK Civil Defense District in 1974; joined the South Dakota Department of Forestry (Title 1V) in 1975; and obtained Bureau of Indian Affairs fire contracts in 1975. These acts have proven to be the turning points for the DVFD insofar as becoming as modern a facility as possible. The Department has managed to maintain such a modern profile that in 1976 it was ranked in the top 5 fire departments in Western South Dakota with cities 10,000 (population) and less. In order that the Department obtain and maintain a good working relationship with the general public, the DVFD sponsors a "Mascot Fireman" program each year. Children between the ages of 6 through 12 are eligible on the basis of good citizenship, good scholastic standing in their school, and community service, with emphasis on protection of life and property. The Department also gives demonstrations of their equipment to school children and other service organizations. As best can be discerned, the progression of the seventeen Fire Chiefs has been as follows: Jim Thomas (resigned on 8-10-34); Henry F. Burgee (served until 2-16-43); Jim Davis; William Ochsner; Severin Hegre; M. B. Salisbury; Limer Petersen; Mel Nesheim; Ray Edwards; Robert McKenzie; Russell Stevens; Merrill Salisbury; Harry Lewis Fairbanks; Gerald "Jerry" Lewis; Mike Hansen; Marvin Russell (elected 3-18-71 and serving as "Chief" until he was placed on the Honorary Fireman's Rolls upon reaching the age of 50, as per DVFD tradition); Galen Denton is the current Fire Chief, and was elected in March, 1982. Among the first treasurer's reports, it was revealed that $78.04 was the income and $50.00 was the amount disbursed for that year. The most recent reports reveal that income amounted to $11,142.11 and $9,587.32 was disbursed -- quite a change reflects the past 50 years' progress!

[photo – Old Fire Hall. Torn down before new fire hall was built in 1973]

[photo – Fire Truck in Parade. "Mascot Fireman" riding]

[photo – "Throw the ball!" "Dunk the Mayor!" Firemen's money-making project at Pioneer Day]

DAVE'S PLACE Dave's Place is a new business in an old building. WNAX gasoline was sold here at one time. Later Ward Zimmerman sold "Lightning" gasoline at this filling station. Dean Vance had his Abstract Company here during the 50's. It had been vacant since then until David Pesicka bought it in 1982. Its friendly atmosphere is enjoyed by folks needing a snack or a game of cards.

[photo – Dave's Place]

HOTEL DUPREE In 1910 James A. Shelton bought a plot of land from the United States Land Office. The Hotel was built on this plot and called the Shelton Hotel. Matt Stephenson purchased the hotel from Shelton in 1931. The name was then changed to Hotel Dupree. In 1946 it was sold to Ivan Fluharty, who maDemany improvements and for a time operated a coffee shop in the hotel. In 1950 Bill Ochsner purchased the hotel, and in 1959 it was sold to Jake Sprenger, who operated a farm south of Dupree prior to purchasing the hotel. Several people operated the Dupree Hotel over the following years. It was condemned and sat idle for several more years. It was sold for taxes and Della Jones bought it for tax deed. She built a new building just south of the Hotel and moved her "Drive Inn" into the new location. She used part of the hotel building for storage and deep freezers. The Hotel building was torn down in 1980-81 by Galen Denton. The basement was filled in and is now used for parking.

[photo – Hotel Dupree]

DELLA'S DRIVE-IN In the early 1970's Della Jones bought the Jay Burgee barber shop building and opened a Drive-In for the summer months. Later she bought the Dupree Hotel and moved the building just south and added an awning and platform in front. Della and her daughter Virginia ran the Drive-In during summer months until 1982, then sold it to Harold and Pauline Davis who now call it the "Tiger Drive-In".

[photo – Della's Drive-In]

JACK & JILL STORE from Call of the Prairie The grocery and dry goods store now owned by Larry and Mary Deis is one of the oldest buildings in Dupree and has changed hands many times since the first owner, Martin Sletten, ran a hardware and furniture store there in 1911. The building was at that time 24' x 60'. Sletten was in business for two years, then in 1913 he sold to Leach, Mosher and Bailey. They built an additional 60' extending toward the present Central Lumber Company. Here they ran a garage and hardware store. In that same year they placed the building on a basement which was used for storing car parts. In the year 1920, Art Bacon ran a garage in this location. Bill Krikac, in the year 1923, changed the business to a grocery store which he ran until 1924. L. O. Adams, now Unknown at Redelm, purchased the building at that time and occupied it until 1928 when he sold it to MKT. Harry Silverman was manager then and until 1930 when he bought the building, using it for a grocery store under the name of "The Leader Store. He and his family occupied the upstairs apartment for quite a few years. In 1936 Silverman built onto the north side, extending the store to its present size. John Oster operated a grocery store in this location from February 1946 until 1948. In the month of April, 1949, Larry and Mary Deis moved to Dupree from Roscoe and ran a very popular grocery store known as "Deis' Store." Larry and Mary Deis sold the store to Hollis W. Barker on November 2, 1965. Hollis ran the store as "Barker's Jack and Jill" until he sold it to Raymond and Grace Lenk on August 25, 1976. The store is now known as "Dupree Jack & Jill".

[photo – The Jack & Jill store as it looked in 1911 when Martin Sletten sold hardware and furniture in it]

[photo - Jack & Jill store, 1982]

LUMBERYARDS The growth of Dupree in Schnasse County was no doubt the reason for this ad "As roads from LeBeau to Dupree are the best on the Reservation, all those contemplating to move west and build are advised to haul their building material from Imperial Lumber Company, LeBeau, South Dakota." However, Dupree soon had their own lumberyards, builders, contractors and painters. Some of the contractors and builders were: Rowe & Smith, W. J. Benedict, J. A. Brundage, Krell and Hamm, Phil Schweich, Valentine Zweber, and Pete F. Murphy. Painters were: S. F. Briggs and Walter G. Fink. The Dupree Painting and Decorating Company, owned by Parr & Teiren, advertised, "Painting of all kinds, paper hanging and burlap hanging. Ready-mixed paints at $2.50 per gallon. These goods are manufactured in Dupree, so patronize home industry. Have your work done by home men." One of the lumberyards was J. H. Schroeder Lumber Company with yards at Dupree, Faith, Eagle Butte, Arrowhead and Redelm. The manager was A. O. Raben and, besides building material, they had hay, oats and corn. Others were the Dupree Flour and Mill, Standard Lumber Company, W. E. Beam, Agent and Hollandsworth-Greenman Company, with H. G. Batie, Agent. The Atlas Lumber Company "The Green Sheds" with R. H. Leach, Agent, announced to the people of Dupree and vicinity March 16, 1911, that they received 20 carloads of lumber during the past three weeks. May 1911, they had the most complete line of posts in the city. The J. F. Anderson Lumber Company, with J. S. Smith, Manager, was located where the present Dupree Lumber Company is today. They also had yards in the neighboring towns and built some of the larger yards. However, they sold out to Central Lumber Company, which also had a yard in the early days of Dupree. On April 6, 1911, Louis Suthmeir, Agent for Central Lumber, announced to the general traDethat their stock of lumber and building material such as paints, oils, posts, lime, cement, plaster, etc. was complete. Prospective builders were invited to call at their yard, look over their stock and get their prices and terms. H. M. Little and J. J. Edwards were also agents in the summer of 1911. Preston "Press" Johnson was the auditor in charge of all the Central lumberyards west of the Missouri River from December 1909 until 1920. During this time he bought the yard sites at Timber Lake, Isabel, Dupree and Faith. He looked after the building of these plants and helped get the yards started. It was in 1910 that he roDeto Dupree with Phil Geerman in his Model T. Ford and looked over the town site for a likely spot to start a yard. Later that summer he went to Aberdeen and attended the lot sale. There were many others there bidding on yard sites so he didn't do too well but he did buy lots 13 and 14, Block 10, on Main Street. They started to build as soon as they could get lumber in, which could be hauled from Isabel in 2'/2 days if the roads were good. The winter of 1910-11 was open and not very cold so the carpenters worked most all of the year. There was real competition in those days with all the previously mentioned lumber yards. However, after the big homestead rush was over, most of the yards sold out or closed. The building of the sheds and yard was in 1910 and 1911 and was completed when Jack M. Askin, who retired from Central Lumber in 1957, came to Dupree in April of 1911. Charles L. Troon was the manager of the J. F. Anderson yard at the time Central Lumber bought them out on February 11, 1928. On July 20, 1928 Central sold their original site to Syver Knudslein. J. M. Askin was the manager at the time back sheds were built in 1929. He continued with the company until 1937, when Theodore Hartinger came to Dupree. "Ted" was a very good citizen of our town and we hated to see him leave April i, 1949

In September 1937, Ralph Pitsor moved his barber shop down from Faith. He employed Roy Pitsor, Clif Stromer and Vernal Vance. Beulah Vance was a beauty operator. After Mr. Pitsor's death, the shop was operated by Vernal Vance and also Jim Archer, who drove down from Isabel.

The "Ziebach County News" was established and published by Lottie Kruckman and Eb Jones on March 10, 1911. Both sold to F. E. Riley in July 1911, and Mr. Riley continued to be the owner and publisher until 1932 when half interest was sold to Patsy McNeely. McNeely continued to publish the News until in 1937 when he sold it to Ralph Pitsor. Mr. Pitsor published it until 1951, when it was consolidated with "The West River Progress".