Talk:South Dakota
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Wondering how to edit this State Entry?
The WikiProject U.S. States standards might help.
[edit] Demographics
The demographical information on this page includes a mix of Decennial and Annual figures. These numbers should be identified as being from one or the other. Also, someone should consider updating the old data with the new.
[edit] Economy?
Someone should add more information on the economy of South Dakota. 67.161.208.117 03:48, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC) I know a little bit about econymy it was an ok school that had lots of cool recordsMurlocman 17:57, 27 March 2007 (UTC)murlocman
[edit] Vandalizing race data
Someone keeps putting in the inaccurate claim that South Dakota is the most heavily Indian state in the contiguous U.S., even though New Mexico and Oklahoma both have a higher percentage of Native Americans in their populations.
I think that that claim is true per capita though. . . I'm not sure though.--12.214.39.203 02:40, 11 April 2006 (UTC)
Look at the census bureau's website. New Mexico has more American Indians per capita than SD does. SD has more than Oklahoma, however. --Tonywiki 14:32, 11 April 2006 (UTC)
hi
[edit] Falling Population?
"South Dakota...is feeling the brunt of falling populations." This is not true. Since 1990 the population of has increased by 75,000 (see second sentence in Demographics section.)
This should be clarified. . . The majority of the counties in the state have seen steady population declines for decades. This is not true of all the counties touching the Black Hills, as well as those around Sioux Falls and along the "I-29 Corridor"--12.214.39.203 02:42, 11 April 2006 (UTC)
[edit] History
The history part really needs to be split up into more than one paragaph. Also I think a reference should be made to John Thompson, the first white settler of South Dakota, because he has a real interesting life and he also went on to serve in the South Dakota legislature. Information about him online is scarce, but I have paper records.
++ John Thompson ++ Here is all the information that I, Brad L. Jones, direct descendant of John Thompson currently have on him.
First Family member in the United States. All previous are named in the Norwegian style of last name being of the farm they lived on.
Founded the township of Sverdrup in the Dakota Territory. Built the first log house 12x16 on section 29 in Sverdrup and staked claim.
First Superintendent of Schools for Minnehaha county, appointed by Dakota Territorial Superintendent of Schools, Mr. James S. Foster. Chairman of the town board.
First Chairman of the Board for Minnehaha County Commissioners.
Member of the Territiorial Assembly in 1873-1877 and 1883.
First township assessor for Sverdrup Township.
Civil War Veteran, Grand Army of the Republic, G.A.R.
I found out from Dale Erickson, that John would not tell Kristi the names of the children until the moment of being baptised by the minister. John's sister died on the trip along with his parents. They died of cholera. Sister died in Quebec. John arrived in Dane County Wis. in 1854. John fought in the civil war. He is listed as from Mt. Morris. He was mustered into Co. I 7th Wis. and was discharged April 1 1862 for a disability. He registered again a short time later in Co. H 30th Wis. He was a Corporal and was mustered out on Sept 20th, 1865. After the war he went to Goodhue County, Minn. Took off with John Nelson West. Arrived at Chains Lake near Spirit Lake IA. Arrived June 29 1866 near school for the deaf in what is now Sioux falls, SD.
Homesteaded section 29 Sverdrup township. His Daughter Berthine was the first white child born in Minnehaha County. John and some of his family are buried in the Pioneer cem. near Dell Rapids, South Dakota.
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Dakota Territorial History from 1861 to 1875 On January 4, the county of Minnehaha was organized. John Nelson, John Thompson and William Melville were appointed commissioners, and Edward Broughton register o£ deeds. The commissioners were given power to fill the other offices by appointments.
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http://www.telelaget.com/Telemark%20HTML/TimeLine2f.html 1866, June 4, The first real settlement occurs in Minnehaha County, SD. John Thompson and Jonas Nelsen Fosmo took land near Sioux Falls. By 1870 there were 68 Norwegians in the county. Qualey, Norwegian Settlement in the United States, p. 143. Also see Oien, Minnehaha County's Norwegian Pioneers, p. 10
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Pages 155, 434-436, 209 and 259 of Norwegian Pioneers History of Minnehaha County South Dakota From 1865 to 1895]
...Nidaros Congregation...At the yearly congregation's meeting which was held the 28th of October the following joined the congregation: Jens Jensen and wife Margrethe (Flaamoe); John Erickson and wife Beret (Blestervald); Ole Erickson and wife Karen; Peder Gunderson; Gunia Ol's daughter; Paul Larson; Paul Anderson and wife Anne (Riswold); John Paulson; Peder Riswold and wife Guro; Anders P. Riswold and wife Ingeborg; Paul Thompson and wife Ingeborg (Quernmo); Sivert J. Aasen, Martin Gunderson and Anne Langness (Mrs. Jonas Nessan). [From page 155.]
John Erikson Blestervold born the 24th of June, 1824, Meraker Norway, died the 13th of April, 1901. Beret Gunnarsdaughter, born Røberg, the 26th of January, 1820, Østerøien, Meraker, Norway, died the 22nd of October, 1888. They had one daughter Marit (Mrs. Ole O. Gravdahl). Emigrated in 1866, and made the trip on the ship Hvidfaren, and came to Goodhue County, Minnesota, where they lodged with Nils and Ingeborg Krogen. Beret and Ingeborg were sisters. In 1869 they traveled to South Dakota and took Homestead adjoining John Thompson in Sverdrup Township on Section 29, where they resided until 1892, when they sold that to John Thompson and purchased 40 acres in Lyons Township (near the Hilmoe School house), and where the family has since lived. John worked most of the time he was in Goodhue County for Pastor B. J. Muus; who lived near the Holden Church. Therefore he and Jens Flaamoe wove a skin rug for him and had many a cozy chat with the pastor. The daughter Marit took part in the religion school, conducted by teacher Kling. Beret had a stroke in the fall of 1869 which left her paralyzed on the right side and was unable to talk the first year, but she gradually got her speech back so she was barely possible to be understood. It became necessary for her to use crutches and she lived in this manner for 19 years.
Marit attended religion school the first year she was here. It was held on Sundays and John Thompson was the only teacher. The school was held in various places among the new settlers and reached as far south as Gundmund Dalemoe, about a mile south from Renner, then John Thompson took the neighbor children along with him. Marit also attended the first English school, which was held in John I. Aasen's log cabin the winter of 1871 and 1872, and which opened the 27th of December, with Ole I. Aasen as teacher.
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BLM Register Issue Date:1/6/1873 N½SE 29/ 103-N 49-W No 5th PM SD Minnehaha Accession/Serial #: SDMTAA 076176 BLM Serial #: SDMTAA 076176
Issue Date:1/6/1873 SWNE 29/ 103-N 49-W No 5th PM SD Minnehaha Accession/Serial #: SDMTAA 076176 BLM Serial #: SDMTAA 076176
Issue Date:1/6/1873 SWSE 29/ 103-N 49-W No 5th PM SD Minnehaha Accession/Serial #: SDMTAA 076176 BLM Serial #: SDMTAA 076176
Issue Date:2/10/1876 W½NW 28/ 103-N 49-W No 5th PM SD Minnehaha Accession/Serial #: SDMTAA 076586 BLM Serial #: SDMTAA 076586
Issue Date:2/10/1876 E½NE 29/ 103-N 49-W No 5th PM SD Minnehaha Accession/Serial #: SDMTAA 076586 BLM Serial #: SDMTAA 076586
Issue Date:11/26/1883 SW 11/ 104-N 48-W No 5th PM SD Minnehaha Accession/Serial #: SDMTAA 071499 BLM Serial #: SDMTAA 071499
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http://www.rootsweb.com/~sdsvgs/index87.html
JOHN NELSON’S "INDIAN SCARE."
As will be seen from this biography, Mr. Nelson settled in Mapleton during the summer of 1866. At that time his only neighbor was John Thompson, who lived about two miles up the river on his claim. Mr. Nelson had erected his cabin in the woods near the Big Sioux river, where he thought himself safely hidden from the pioneer’s most dreaded foe, the roaming Indian. Everything was quiet for a few months, and no unusual sound disturbed the stillness of the prairie. But one evening during the fall, just about sundown, while he was chopping wood near the cabin, unearthly yells and howls suddenly reached his ears. In shorter time than it takes to tell it, he dropped his ax, ran into the cabin, and gathering up what valuable papers he had, brought his frightened wife and baby out of the cabin and around the bend of the river, where they remained until quite dark. They then crossed a little valley to a small lake surrounded by tall grass in which he hid his wife and child. Having placed them where the thought they would not be discovered, he shouldered his rifle and started for John Thompson’s place. Upon arriving there he was surprised to find the family quietly eating their supper, while he had expected to find them all butchered by the Indians. After having briefly told of the approaching danger, he returned for his wife and child, whom he safely brought to Mr. Thompson’s house. During this trip he heard something moving through the grass near him. He cocked his rifle and quietly awaited the approach of the stealthy steps of what he thought to be an Indian, but fortunately was found to be only a deer. It was temptingly near for a good shot, but for fear of attracting the attention of the Indians he did not fire.
The next morning, in company with Mr. Thompson and Ole Gilseth, he went down the river, and nearly opposite his cabin he discovered two Indian tepees. They then got behind a tree and called to the Indians, which seemed to greatly surprise them, and gathering up their belongings, they hastily left the place without further trouble.
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EXPERIENCE OF TWO OF THE EARLY SETTLERS IN THIS COUNTY DURING THEIR WALK FROM REDWOOD, MINNESOTA, TO THE SIOUX VALLEY, IN THE FALL OF 1866.
An account of this trip appeared in an issue of the Syd Dakota Ekko in November, 1895, and thinking it would prove interesting to the readers of this work, a translation of the same is given below.
Ole O. Gilseth and John J. Aasen, Jr., left Goodhue county, Minnesota, in the fall of 1866, with the intention of joining their friends, John Thompson and John Nelson, who had settled in the Sioux Valley in Dakota during the spring of that year. Ole J. Aasen, who then lived in the vicinity of Kenyon, in the same county, drove them to Faribault. From there they took post horses to St. Peter, where they found a man who was going to Redwood, and drove with him to that place. They then continued their way on foot, each carrying a bundle of clothes and a rifle. Thus far they had put up no provisions for their trip, thinking they would buy some from a family they knew, who lived on a farm some distance from Redwood. But evening came with not a house in sight, and they spent the night on the open prairie. The next morning it was cloudy, the sun could not be seen, and they were unable to tell what direction to follow, but they decided to try and find the farm they had looked for the day before, and which they believed could not be very far off. Early in the afternoon a grove came into view, and thinking this must be the place, they walked briskly on, hopeful of being in plenty time for a good supper. However, the grove was farther away than it at first appeared, and it was not until late in the evening they reached there, only to find, instead of friends and shelter, the dreaded wigwams of an Indian camp, with their still more dreaded occupants. Having the terrible massacre of 1862 in the western part of Minnesota still fresh in their minds, even starvation could not induce them to go near the Indians, but with trembling hearts and careful steps they succeeded in reaching the other side of the grove, without being noticed, and here they spent the night in a large tree. Mr. Gilseth keeping vigilant watch, with his hand on the rifle until the break of dawn, when, thankful for their scalps though starving, they continued their wandering westward. That day they could not even find any water. Towards evening they noticed a storm was approaching, and it being late in the fall and quite cold, they wrapped all their clothes about them and laid down, trying to rest. Soon the storm broke loose. It was a terrible storm of snow and rain, and continued until towards morning, when it cleared up and they could see the sun again. They now took a southwesterly course, thinking they had gone too far north. That evening they reached a few small lakes, the shores of which were frozen, but farther out they discovered a flock of ducks swimming about in the open water. Mr. Gilseth sent a shot into the flock, and two big ducks was his reward. Now, at last, there was to be a feast! Roasted duck! But again they were doomed to disappointment. The storm had wet them through to the skin, and their matches were useless. Consequently, no fire, no steak; and the ducks were eaten raw.
After having rested through the night and breakfasted on another piece of duck, they continued their journey. During that day they discovered a wagon track, which they followed, thinking it must lead to some settlement. It was very indistinct, and sometimes even lost, but it was fortunately found again. Towards evening Mr. Aasen became so weak and tired that he told Mr. Gilseth to continue his way alone, but after having slept awhile he felt so much better that they resumed their walk, though they were obliged to leave their bundles of clothes, only carrying their rifles. They walked about that whole night, and in the morning found themselves by a river which they supposed to be the Big Sioux river. But now the question arose whether to follow the river up or down to reach their destination. Finally they decided to follow the river on its course downward. Soon they came to a hay-stack, and thinking that now they must surely find some people, they made a thorough search, but no one could be found. Later they came to a bend in the river, which they forded in order to shorten their way, and following the river the whole day and part of the night finally came across some new-mown hay raked up in small piles, and near by found a wagon box which Mr. Gilseth recognized to be the same that John Thompson had taken with him from Goodhue county.
Encouraged by these discoveries they looked around further, and soon found a door to a dug-out on the hillside. Here they knocked, and this time they were not disappointed, as a friendly voice from within bid them enter. Opening the door they found a room occupied by two white men, who, they soon learned, were hunters stopping there while hunting game in the vicinity. This was near where Dell Rapids is now located. The wagon box they had seen proved to belong to Mr. Thompson, the hunters having on their trip from Sioux Falls borrowed the same from him. The starved and tired wanderers were well received; the hunters abandoned their bed in their favor, and slept on the floor, and the following morning drove them down to John Thompson’s, where they received a hearty welcome. And thus ended their perilous journey, and two more sturdy pioneers were added to the young settlement.
Mr. Gilseth took up land in Mapleton township, when he gradually improved for a future home. The first three years he only staid on his claim long enough to keep his rights under the homestead law, the other part of his time he worked out. During this time he came to the conclusion that “it is not good for a man to be alone,” and in the spring of 1870, returned to Goodhue county, worked there during the summer, and in the fall, in company with quite a number of new settlers, came back to Minnehaha county. In this company was a Miss Anna P. Moe. Shortly after their arrival the first marriage ceremony in this county was performed by Pastor Christensen; and Ole Gilseth and Anna P. Moe since then have managed the Gilseth farm in unity and concord.
Mr. Aasen took up land in sections twenty and twenty-nine in Sverdrup township, there he still resides and has a good, comfortable home.
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http://www.rootsweb.com/~sdsvgs/index75.html Early History of Minnehaha County, Dakota Territory In the summer of 1866, a number of families settled in the county, among whom were John Nelson, John Thompson, Wm. Melvin, Sylvester Delaney, John J. Aasen, Jr., and Ole O. Gilseth.
Nelson and Thompson left Goodhue county, Minnesota, with their wives, on June 4. They came across Iowa, and after leaving Spirit Lake saw no white people until they reached Fort Dakota. They took up land about ten miles from the fort, and Thompson is still living where he first settled. Melvin and Delaney took up land in the same vicinity. Melvin soon left for Kansas, but the log house he built is still standing about three-fourths of a mile north of Thompson’s place and is occupied by Ole L. Floren and family. An account of privations and hardships endured by Aasen and Gilseth in reaching Dakota, as translated from an issue of the Syd Dakota Ekko, published in November, 1895, will be found in the chapter of reminiscences.
At the next session of the legislature, which convened at Yankton on December 4, 1866, and adjourned January 12, 1867, a memorial to Congress was passed, praying that a road be laid out and established from Elk Point up the Big Sioux Valley to Fort Dakota, and asking an appropriation of ten thousand dollars for that purpose. As all supplies for the fort were transported by teams from Sioux City by way of Elk Point, a road from the latter place to the fort was a necessity. A memorial was also passed asking that the unexpended balance of a previous appropriation amounting to three thousand dollars, be applied to improving and bridging the main traveled road from Sioux Falls to Yankton by way of the upper James river ferry.
In 1867, Ole Gunderson, Foster Gunderson, Martin Gunderson, John Johnson, Larson Sweet, J. Larson, Ole J. Arnson and their families settled in the county.
During the session of the legislature which begun December 26, 1867, at Yankton and concluded January 10, 1868 an act was passed to reorganize Minnehaha county. John Nelson, John Thompson and William Melvin were appointed county commissioners and Edward Broughton register of deeds
http://65.18.208.129/CivilWar/db/t/tho/009848.html THOMPSON, John WI 7th Inf Co I. Residence: Dane County, Wisconsin. Born "John Guttormsen Kirkeby" on 29 Jun 1841 at Meraker, Norway, son of Guttorm Johnsen and Beret, both of Kringplas, Norway. Came to America in 1854. Civil War: Age 20. Enlisted at outbreak of war in 1861 and served until 1862. Private. Mustered out for disability. Regained his strength and re-enlisted in WI 30th Inf Co H and served until Oct 1865. Married Kirsti Haugen [12 Dec 1845-11 Apr 1918]. Moved to Minnehaha County, South Dakota, in 1866. Eleven children. John died 2 Jul 1913 at age 71 in Sverdrup, South Dakota, of an acute intestinal obstruction. Buried in West Pioneer Nidaros Cemetery in Sverdrup Township, NW lot, block 11, grave 8. Sources: Rootsweb.com. Ragnar Olsen) (SDSA WPA Veterans Cemetery Records, Minnehaha County)
http://www.vesterheim.org/CivilWar/db/t/tho/009850.html THOMPSON, John WI 30th Inf Co H. Residence: Mt. Morris, Waushara County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 21. Farmer. Unmarried. Blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion, 5'8". Enlisted for three years on 21 Aug 1862 at Mt. Morris. Mustered 21 Oct 1862 at Madison, Wisconsin. Corporal. Mustered out 20 Sep 1865. Sources: (SHSW red book vol 35)
http://www.vesterheim.org/CivilWar/db/t/tho/009854.html THOMPSON, John From Meraker, Norway. Civil War: Corporal. In 1907, he was living in Baltic, South Dakota. Sources: (ULVESTAD p265)
Graves Registration: NAME: THOMPSON John Cemetary: W.Nidaros Sverdrup Twp DOB: 6-29-1841 POB: Meraker, Norway DOD: 7-2-1913 POD: Sverdrup Twp COD: IntestinalObstr Father's Name: G. J.Kringles Mother's Name: Beret Wife's Name: ChristineHaugen Entered Service: 1861 Location: WI Discharged: 10-1865 Place: Sverdrup Twp Rank: Private Company Served: I & H 7 WI & 30 WI
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Original Message-----
From: RadioGame@aol.com [1] Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 5:18 PM To: family@brad-jones.com Subject: Re: [SDMinnehaha] Re: Sverdrup Township?
Hello Brad,
I see that you are a direct descendant of John Thompson. My ancestors are the ones who took John in and cared for him after his parents and sister had died during the crossing to America in 1854. My great great uncle Jonas (better known as John) Nelson was John Thompson's very best friend. My great grandfather is Nels Nelson, the youngest brother to Jonas and Iver Nelson. My great great grandfather, Nils Ivarsen (Iverson), the father to Iver, Jonas, Anna and Nels, was the organizer and leader of that very first group to leave Meraker in 1854. I have never found any information on Anna, their sister, other then she came to America with everyone in 1854. Have you found much information on John Thompson between the time he arrived with my ancestors in 1854 Wisconsin, then moving in 1856 to Wanamingo Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, before he and my great great uncle Jonas came to the Dakota Territory in 1866? I have more information on him and my ancestors, between 1854 and 1866.
Just last spring I finally located living relatives in South Dakota and in early August of last summer, my sister and I drove to Sioux Falls to meet with a number of them. Leland Nelson, one of my many cousins living in Sioux Falls, and the surrounding area, took my sister and I to where old homesteads were located, the churches and of course to the Pioneer's Cemetery where so many of my relatives are buried.
The one place that no one seems to know the where about of is the original location where Jonas had his homestead in Mapleton Township. According to the book "Norwegian Pioneers History of Minnehaha County South Dakota, between 1866 and 1896," the location was a mile south of Morefield, where ever that is. Also at that location is a private cemetery where three of his children are buried, who died of diphtheria between January 4th and January 10th, 1880. The only one having any knowledge of Morefield is my cousin Inez Tidemann, who is 94 and now living in Sioux Falls with her daughter Joann. But, Inez seems to know very little about Jonas. Iver, the oldest of the three boys was her great grandfather. From what I have found, all of my newly discovered cousins are descended from Iver and know nothing of Jonas and his descendants. I believe it was in 1882 that Jonas moved from Minnehaha County to Kingsbury County, very near Badger and Arlington. One of his sons had a place near Lake Norden. Other then that, I haven't found anything of them in Kingsbury County, which is more then any of Iver's living descendants know.
Sincerely, Donald Nelson Laurel, Montana
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www.augie.edu/related/renner/renner3.html
History of Renner Lutheran Church Originally called Nidaros Church
(from the 1993 anniversary booklet)
Nidaros 125th Anniversary 1858 - 1993
One in Christ - Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow One hundred and twenty-five years have now passed since the Nidaros Lutheran Congregation was chartered in the sod home of Norwegian immigrants John and Kirsti Thompson on August 12, 1868. In 1866 two Union Soldier veterans, John Thompson and Jonas Nelson, had come to Minnehaha County in Dakota Territory with their families to be the first homesteaders in the county and among the first in the territory. On May 26, 1867 a daughter was born to John and Kirsti Thompson, Berthine Bereline Thompson (Mrs. Thomas H. Fersdahl) - the first white child born in Minnehaha County. When Berthine was baptized on August 11, 1868 in her parents' home, it marked the beginning of the Nidaros Church. (Ironically, eighty-nine years later in 1957, Berthine Fersdahl passed away, and coincidentally the Nidaros Congregation separated; yet it exists today as four churches - Baltic Lutheran, East Nidaros Lutheran, Renner Lutheran, and West Nidaros Lutheran.)
Previous church histories have been written about the Nidaros Congregation - we are thankful for our predecessors' historical legacy. The first history book was published in 1926 in the Norwegian language in preparation for the 60th anniversary of Nidaros in 1928. In 1943, a second history was published in the English language for the Diamond Jubilee - 75th Anniversary. For the Centennial of Nidaros in 1968, yet another history was published. The individual churches have also published their own various histories with anniversaries of the individual sanctuaries.
One may ask why another history needs to be published. There are many valid answers to this question. First, there is a new generation unaware of our common heritage. There are also many new members of the individual congregations who should feel just as close to the ties of this church as the families who have lived here 125 years. We have also found new stories in the old history. (We are grateful for the tireless research and translating of the minutes of the Nidaros Congregation from the Norwegian language completed by John Eide in 1982.) Finally, we want to provide the present and future generations with one consolidated resource that sketches the complete history of Nidaros from 1868 until the present time.
Our intent is not to glorify our pioneer ancestors, for they were only human. Or intent, rather, is only to illustrate how these prairie pioneers and their descendants prioritized the Church of Jesus Christ in their lives. Most of these immigrants worshiped in a frame church structure before they themselves lived in a frame house. The generations that have followed have continued to be faithful in their devotion to Jesus Christ their Lord and their commitment to the church.
To the members of the Nidaros congregations, past, present, and future, we dedicate this history, always remembering our unity in Christian Heritage that has made our four individual churches "One in Christ - Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow."
The Nidaros Quasquicentennial History Committee:
Co-Editors: Joan Eitrheim and Dale Erickson.
Nils Aspaas, Morris Oien, and Donald Prestbo
How Nidaros became Renner The first church sat on the prairie. But winds blew it down due to the 100 foot steeple, so it was rebuilt (with a shorter steeple!) Then, due to flooding of the Sioux River, many could not get to church some Sundays. So "West Nidaros" Lutheran Church was built. Then East Nidaros followed in building as well. The nearby town of Baltic had no church. So in 1911 the church was moved to Baltic. (Flooding was still a problem.) Finally in 1939 the building was moved to Renner, where it still stands today. The other Nidaros churches became independent and liked the Nidaros name, so the Renner folks agreed to rename the church "Renner Lutheran".
Last updated Thursday, June 13, 2002
http://legis.state.sd.us/historical/Index.aspx?FuseAction=Detail&MemberID=3568 John Thompson Gender Birthdate Deathdate Type Remarks
-1841 Territorial
Years of Service Party Address County Body Years
Baltic Minnehaha H 1872-1873 H 1877-1878 H 1883-1884 Total Years 6
[edit] Religion
Over 8% of the population is Native American. And strangely there is little if any accounting of their religious preferences. I do not think the numbers here are reflective as I believe most of the numbers come from estimations based on church rosters and rolls which are horribly inaccurate.
Many of them do attend Christian churches, although certainly many practice their traditional religion. These, probably, fall into the "other" or "non-religious" categories. Although I'm not positive what the source for the numbers listed in the article is, I do not believe they are "horribly inaccurate." If someone has a suggestion of a better source, they can certainly present it.
- Replaced the list with a cited survey. The numbers are a little different, but it is properly sourced, so the list gets trumped. AlexiusHoratius 16:17, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Hate Crimes
More hate crimes currently happen in Minnehaha County than the states of Mississippi and Arkansas Combined, but yet SD has less diversity than those states by significant numbers.
[edit] New Sports section added to updated Wikipedia:WikiProject U.S. states format
The Wikipedia:WikiProject U.S. states format has been updated to include a new Sports section, that covers collegiate sports, amateur sports, and non-team sports (such as hunting and fishing). Please feel free to add this new heading, and supply information about sports in South Dakota. Please see South_carolina#Sports_in_South_Carolina as an example. NorCalHistory 13:17, 8 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Struck by the Ree quote
The quote by Struck by the Ree is incorrect and I am going to remove it. Such a quotation does not belong in a work that professes to be an encyclopedia in the first place. Just the facts, please.
Bill23rdpower 17:28, 8 March 2007 (UTC)Bill23rdpower
[edit] Who is Blake Thomas Farber
Who is this person. If not justified, I am going to remove.
Bill23rdpower 17:34, 8 March 2007 (UTC)Bill23rdpower
[edit] removed challenged quotation and names
I removed the challenged quotation and names after posting them for a few days. I removed more than just the posted name. I ran a search on the names and found nothing to connect with South Dakota.
Bill23rdpower 21:17, 12 March 2007 (UTC)Bill23rdpower
[edit] general cleanup and additions
First, the history section needs obvious expansion into the 20th and 21st centuries. Second, the misc. section should be cleaned up - much of it could be shortened, moved to another section, or removed completely. The 'abortion law' is mentioned in two different places, which is more than it probably needs to be in a general article about the state. Finally, to my mind, the politics section should be a general descrip. of SD's political character, plus a few notable events, not a summary of Sen. Daschle's career. (Those senator tables are a bit large, as well). AlexiusHoratius 05:31, 21 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Two names posted for removal
I am posting Randy Lewis and Eric Piatkowski for removal from famous South Dakotans. How are they related to SD?
Bill23rdpower 18:23, 21 March 2007 (UTC)Bill23rdpower
I don't know who Randy Lewis is - but Eric Piatkowski grew up in Rapid City and played high school basketball there prior to his collegiate and professional careers. Tonywiki 01:42, 22 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Shouldn't Piatkowski's connection, therefore be mentioned in the article?
Shouldn't Piatkowski's connection, therefore be mentioned in the article? Where would you find the information?
Bill23rdpower 16:34, 22 March 2007 (UTC)Bill23rdpower
I don't agree that his connection should necessarily be mentioned in the article. Most of the people on that list are not mentioned elsewhere in the article - the article would have to be far more comprehensive were that to be the case. As for where you can find confirmation: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/south_dakota/greatest/ This is the Sports Illustrated list of 50 greatest South Dakota athletes, and it says that he "was South Dakota's 1989 Mr. Basketball, averaging 25.6 points and 10.3 rebounds at Stevens High."
Tonywiki 07:31, 23 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Abortion law controversy
This is mentioned twice in the article. I propose to take out this particular reference that appears at the end of the article and leave just one reference to it in the article.
Bill23rdpower 23:17, 31 March 2007 (UTC)Bill23rdpower
Removed abortion ban section - mention of the ban still appears under politics section, but that is probably fine. AlexiusHoratius 21:38, 2 April 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Introduction
I wrote a new intro since the old one was much too small, especially compared with other states. (Four sentances, one of them about another state) The new one is imperfect, though, so feel free to improve it. AlexiusHoratius 04:58, 3 April 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Politics section
Someone seems to have recently shortened this section, which is great, but it is still much longer than any other state's article that I have seen. It seems well-written, just a bit too long. A good example to follow would perhaps be the 'politics' section of Minnesota, which was a featured article. A link to a list of senators (and governors) could be provided, instead of having the tables on the article. AlexiusHoratius 06:39, 4 April 2007 (UTC)
