“Any wise headed man can readily see that Plankinton is to-day the best town in Southern Dakota for capital and labor investment,” boasted the March 31, 1883, edition of the Dakota Free Press. This pioneer newspaper glowingly promoted the two-year old town of Plankinton, in Aurora County, Dakota Territory. The boosters of new frontier towns often exaggerated reality in their quest to rapidly build up Main Street, grow the population and, thus, their own business opportunities.
The following articles and advertisements in the 1883 Dakota Free Press provide a glimpse into the early days of Plankinton and the boosterism employed to entice potential settlers to choose Aurora County as their new residence. The editor was writing news, not just for the local residents, but for future ones as well, making sure even bad news conveyed something good about the town. Recognizing that men would need to convince their wives to move, he shrewdly included items of interest to the ladies. Take note of the price per acre of land compared to the cost of an annual subscription to the Dakota Free Press.
“–We are much in need of several manufacturing and milling institutions as the present time which will require considerable capital. A large steam grist mill is among the necessities of our town before fall and those who are willing to invest several thousand dollars in this enterprise will be rewarded with large profits from the day they start. A creamery will be a paying institution in Plankinton this summer as there is enough stock in the vicinity to insure the permanent success of one, and liberal inducements will be held out to the one who takes the first step on the road to fortune by building a first-class creamery. An oil mill, a brick yard, a grain elevator, a paper mill, and numerous other like enterprises are sure to yield large returns to their founders.
–For Sale – By Harry D. Clark three very desirable business lots on Main Street. Inquire at County Clerk’s Office.
— Father Hennesey, of Mitchell, will hold services in Treat’s hall, on April 12 at 10:30 a.m.
–For sewing machines go to the new furniture store. Tom also keeps a full line of beds, pillows, springs, chairs, tables, cradles, etc. etc. etc. Go see him.
–The traveling public who seek good hotels should put up at the Mansion House in Plankinton, Brooks & Holmes, Proprietors.
–FOR SALE – I have 440 acres of very choice land within a quarter of a mile of Plankinton. For sale at only TEN DOLLARS Per Acre. Theodore N. Treat
— Harry Clark’s pony strayed away the other day, and he is quite anxious to learn of its whereabouts.
–When you subscribe for a newspaper, bear in mind the fact that the Free Press is the best paper published in Dakota. Two dollars a year.
–An Iowa town is so jealous that an ordinance has passed making it a duty to shoot every man who says “Dakota.”
–Miss Minnie Cook, who is to take charge of the Primary Department of our high schools, arrived from Lennox this week.
–Patronize Home Institutions and also save money by Proving up before Clerk of the District Court Sullivan, or Probate Smith.
–The various lumber dealers of Plankinton are absolutely unable to meet the demands for building material. The eastern yards are completely stripped by the western demand, and a lumber famine is feared.
–Further information concerning Aurora County can be had by calling upon or addressing any of the Real Estate Agents whose advertisements appear elsewhere.
–Quite a serious accident occurred to a man, Mr. Van Slyke, at Walrath’s saloon Monday night, who accidently slipped and fell to the floor breaking his right leg above the ankle. He was attended by Drs. Brown and Boynton, who successfully set the broken limb and the injured man is improving very rapidly.
–The regular monthly meeting of the Aurora County Agricultural Society will be held on Saturday, April 7th at 2 P.M. The subject of wheat raising will be discussed in relation to its advantages and the best methods of cultivation.
–Just received a new stock of millinery, consisting of hats, bonnets, flowers, feathers, ribbons, velvets and satins, canvas and embroidery, silks, corsets and crinoline, at Mrs. T.E. Evans.
— HO, YOUNG LADIES, You are wanted in Aurora County. The demand for girls in Dakota is unsurpassed. The demand is for women, young ones, especially, healthy, hearty, wholesome, practical and jolly ones. The demand is not wholly for the purpose of taking timber claims and pre-emptions and much less homesteads, although many have done so, and are among our most enterprising and attractive citizens; nor is it solely to prevent the young men from staying away from dances for want of partners; but we don’t really intend to give the boys away, but it is a fact that they (the girls) are in demand for wives.
— There is probably no other town in Dakota that insures such returns for capital invested as Plankinton.
–Merchants, mechanics and capitalists will realize the dream of their fortunes by entering upon their various business duties in this booming, growing young metropolis. If you are in search of a live town, land here.
–Let us say again, in conclusion, if you wish to be happy, rich, influential, healthy, etc. etc., Come to Aurora County.” Old newspapers, such as this one, from the archives of the Aurora County Historical Society, help us imagine the excitement of life in a new town brimming with confidence in the future. “Come to Aurora County,” they beseeched “and “take your first step on the road to fortune.”
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It Happened Right Here: Come to Aurora County. Published in the South Dakota Mail, Plankinton, South Dakota, November 6, 2014.
RPJ Histories - Ruth Page Jones 