June 21 – Today in Mitchell, South Dakota History
1900 – Dakota University in a Prosperous Condition
Dakota University at Mitchell has closed a very successful year. The enrollment for the year reach 358, coming from 40 different counties east of the Missouri River. 39 graduated from all departments. The coming year promises to be more successful. The faculty has been strengthened by two additional teachers. The movement for a new building will be vigorously pushed. A fire proof building will be a valuable accession. The summer term opens June 20th and continues six weeks.
1901 – Some of the Men of ’79 Met Informally at Masonic Hall with Mr. Waterhouse
There was an informal gathering Thursday evening at the Masonic hall of the men who were in Mitchell in 1879, for the purpose of enjoying an evening with A.J. Waterhouse before his departure from this city. Aside from the ’79ers a few others were present who listened intently to the interesting experiences and anecdotes that were told of the pioneer days of Mitchell. There was no formal program but each of the old-timers took their turn in recalling a series of incidents of the days of 1879, and they were enjoyable too for the incidents brought back to mind those days around which linger a memory that is pleasant.
1980 – Tenth Person Arrested in Drug Case
A tenth person has been arrested on drug charges following a grand jury which convened in Mitchell earlier this month. Rodney Buntrock, 20, of Mitchell, turned himself into police on Friday after retuning to the state. He is charged with distribution of hashhish and has been released on personal recognizance. Eight other adults and one juvenile have also been arrested although police say more arrests could be made following another grand jury session next week. Stanton Davis of Mitchell has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in the penitentiary on drug charges stemming from those indictments.
1990
1992 – Man Arrested in Slaying
A North Carolina man has been arrested on a murder complaint for a slaying near Mitchell, S.D., court records show. Michael Edward Cavender, 27, of High Point, North Carolina, was being held Friday in Spencer, West Virginia. A murder complaint charges him with killing Elaine Kay Bigalk, 50, last fall.
1992 – Randall Plans New Store in Mitchell
Randall Stores Inc. is planning to build a new flagship supermarket in Mitchell. The 45,000-square foot store will be located across from the Super City Mall north of the Mexican Express restaurant. The new store will have an expanded delicatessen and bakery adjacent to a 100 seat restaurant. The restaurant also will have additional features. The restaurant chain started in 1950 with a partnership before F.D. “Doc” Randall and Burdell Spies. The company, which has a store in Sioux Falls, employs more than 3,000 people.
1995 – Study Finds Arena isn’t Feasible
The Mitchell area does not have enough people to support a 10,000-seat arena, but it can support a convention center, according to a feasibility study. “The Corn Palace is in good condition and at 3,500 seats is adequate for all but a very few events,” the study concluded. The study noted that publicly supported convention facilities have been successful in other small communities.
1998 – New Book Takes Second Look at Wild Bill and Calamity Jane
A Dakota Wesleyan University history professor, James McLaird, has published documentation debunking the relationship between Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. McLaird is a recognized expert on Martha Canary, better known as Calamity Jane. In a recent scholarly publication and soo-to-be-published book, McLaird said the supposed Black Hills lovebirds are buried in a Deadwood cemetery, but that’s about as close as they ever got. Their paths only crossed for a brief time, McLaird said, noting that Hickok was killed six weeks after the two met. They did know each other, he said. “However, the intimate relationship between (them) that creative writers developed belongs to fiction. “No less an authority than Martha Canary asserts they were merely friendly acquaintances,” McLaird wrote. McLaird has taught history and political science at Dakota Wesleyan since 1967.