BHSS Foundation To Host Brand Inspectors and Present History

Rapid City, SD – When the Black Hills Journal (what is today’s Rapid City Journal) went to press on November 13, 1880, it was the first to publish recorded cattle brands in South Dakota, where brand laws date back to Dakota Territory 1862.

The newspaper, that began publishing daily in 1886 and is the longest, continuously operating business in Rapid City, would go on to report such events as in 1892, on February 20th, when the Western South Dakota Stockgrower’s Association met at the old Harney Hotel in Rapid City. On that day, the first Brand Association Secretaries were named; legendary names from this part of the country; Frank Stewart, James “Scotty” Philip and Ed Lemmon. The leadership elected that day would also become legendary in their time; James M. Wood, Fred Holcomb, S.K. Howard and Ed Stenger.

It’s this history and legacy that the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation will showcase on Brand Inspector Day, Saturday, February 5, 2005 in the Foundation’s Stockman’s Club located on the upper level of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Entering the unique club setting open to the public during Stock Show Week, the Wall of Brands greets visitors and represent the ‘mark’ of club members. Some are ranch brands, others are company logo’s or names, but all reflect the time-honored (and practical) practice of putting your stamp to something.

“Part of the Foundation’s mission is preserving the legacy,” explains President Joe Norman, “not only of stock show but of the region where the thousands of folks who attend, call home. A historic and colorful part of that history is the story of the brand.”

He continues, “The Foundation has built a credible event that sells history while raising money for scholarships and financial support of programs like Western Junior Livestock Show & Sale, through its Old West Collectibles Auction. The day-long event that begins at 10 a.m. this morning, is recognized around the country thanks to the hard work and expertise of people like Foundation Director Jay George and co-chairman Win Bauer, along with many others who volunteer their time.

“A living history of a thing is important as well. While we have it, we should provide what settings and opportunities we can, to share those stories and the people and industry who represent them.”

Folks can make their way through the auction offerings throughout the day (that include one of most comprehensive collection of brand books dating back to 1895), and stop by the Stockman’s Club beginning at 12 noon where state brand inspectors will gather and where brand and cattle history memorabilia is on display.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association members and leadership will also be on hand to mark the history of the branding legacy that is intricately tied to its own organization as the entity that has had an oversight role in the evolution of the state’s brand program for well over a century.

The most definitive published work that exists on the history of the cattle industry, the South Dakota Stockgrowers, and the brand, is the book, “Last Grass Frontier”, co-authored by well-known historian Bob Lee, Sturgis, SD, who for many years worked in the news room of the early day Rapid City (Daily) Journal.

In the book’s foreward, he writes, “This is a big story – the story of the cattle industry in South Dakota. It is the story of a big country and of big people…a story of man as a rugged individual…of cattlemen as a breed apart on the American scene…and of the conditions that mold them. It is truly an American story.”

It remains, says Norman, “A story with a legacy is still being written.”

 
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