Pioneer Hand County Family Improves Living Through Conservation
MILLER -- Seventy years of ranch experience by three generations of the Puffer family on the same farm have demonstrated that Central South Dakota is not only a fine place to live and raise a family, but also a good place to make a living by farming and ranching.Thomas Puffer filed for a homestead in the early eighties on the site of the present farmstead in Hand County. The family moved here in 1888 to make it their permanent home. They lived in a sod house for the first seven years. It was then that John Puffer was born. He has lived here ever since. At first John's father farmed with oxen. When his mother asked "will we ever have horses?" she little realized that later they would have more horses than they knew what to do with and finally advance to the horseless carriage, the automobile and tractor.
When John was old enough, he first rented the farm from his father. Later in 1923 he purchased the farm. Now the farm is operated as a partnership with his son whom he hopes will continue to operate the farm after he retires.
Many hardships were experienced during this period. Some of the most trying were experienced during the 'thirties." It was a combination of severe drought, grasshoppers, low prices and dust storms that drove many people out of the country. Only by extreme effort and determination was it possible to survive.
In spite of the hardships, the John Puffer family was one that survived. He said, "I always felt that everything would come out all right in the end. So, I managed things the best I could. Althought I had to sell my cattle and sheep because of feed and pasture shorage, I kept my credit good. Then when the rains came in 1938 and the grass grew again we made hay and I purchased some calves and started raising cattle again."
The prosperous "forties" were an extreme contrast to the depression "thirties." With good rains, strong prices and the "will" to get ahead, the cattle herd was developed and the old buildings were reparied and rebuilt as needed. Now the farm stands out as one of the better places in the community.
"Since 1938 I always aim to keep two years of reserve feed on hand to carry me through any poor grass years," cautions Puffer. "Although the last three years we had difficulty in meeting that aim because of late summer droughts in this partricular part of the county. One of the first things I did when I started up in cattle again was to purchase the best Hereford bull I could get. I have followed that policy ever since. In this way I can continaully mprove the quality of the calves I have to sell."
"At first I did more farming, but now I have all my land in grass except about 120 acres. I farm this 120 acres and rotate with corn and oats to furnish winter feed for the livestock. I have 90 acres in alfalfa and 40 acres in crested wheat grass. I like the crested wheat grass because it comes early in the spring and revives again late in the fall. It thus furnishes early and late pasture at a time when the range grasses are pretty much dormant."
Puffer admits that, "we have overgrazed our pastures some in recent years because of the pressure of high prices. I know we will get more pounds of beef from our pastures in the long run if we use it properly."
Puffer is one of the early co-operators with the Hand County Soil Conservation District. Through the aid of SCS technicians he has located and laid out a number of stockwater dams in his pasture land. He said, "I believe cattle will do better if they don't have to travel too far to get water. It encourages cattle to use the grass in the further end of the pasture. Another value of dams is that they are a sort of an insurance that there will be water during some of the dry periods." John also planted a shelterbelt around the north side of his cattle feed lot. He said, "it was a struggle to get the young trees started because of rabbit damage in the winter, but the belt is really worthwhile because it catches driting snow and protects the cattle and feed supplies from the cold north winds."
MRS. MC COOL'S OLD FAITHFUL
Mrs. William McCool, who teaches Kintigh school in the Miller community, used this old Model A nearly every day last winter to drive to school. It could go through snow banks much easier than their good car and started so easily it became almost a landmark in the Miller area.
(from the Huron Daily Plainsman, February 14, 1954)
Hand County Is One Of South Dakota's Pioneers In Extension Activity
(from the Huron Daily Plainsman, Feb. 14, 1954)MILLER--Extension work in Hand County began more than 20 years ago and there have been marked changes in the work since its beginning in 1922.
E. H. Archer was county agent here when he asked Mrs. L. B. Croll, now of Brookings, to help him organize the work for women that they might have something interesting besides the ordinary daily work.
The clothing program carried on by Hand County was one of the first in the state. There were seven groups with 210 women enrolled. Today there are 22 clubs with over 400 members. Mrs. Croll said that the first groups were "strictly country women, just us hayseeds."
State specialists came out to give the work and went to meeting places via sleds, wagons with rural mail carriers.
Now the work is given in only a few centralized places by the county home agent.
Some groups lived as far as 28 miles from town. Every member paid $1.00 dues. Today members live far away but their methods of transportation are much quicker and easier. Dues are only 50 cents a year.
Food and nutrition followed the clothing program. Today there are demonstrations on many and varied topics but homemakers continue to get new and applicable ideas.
Mrs. George Whittington is one of the oldest extension club members, having belonged for 40 years (first in Canada).
There are over 50 women who have belonged 25 years or more. Each year more younger members are enrolled as homemakers realize the value of the extension work.
In the early years of the work here exhibits were sent to the State Fair. There is a county achievement day every year and this year a style show will be held with the county crop show.
This year marks the selling of UNESCO stamps and helping unfortunate children in Korea.
There have been seven home agents since the work started. Faith L. Martens is the present home agent.
Chairmen meet once a month to plan events and programs for the year.
FEMININE SHOCK TROOPS
from an unknown Hand county newspaper
Feminine shock troops have invaded the harvest fields, and demonstrated their ability by shocking two tracts in one evening. Included in the "army" were Mrs. Cap Kluthe, Louise Kluthe, Eleanor Stubbs, Nellie McLoughlin, Agnes Ortmeier, Evelyn Forman, Florence Helsper, Lavelle and Lorraine Blanchard, Anna Englemann, Marion Burke, Orvene Deardorff, Mrs. Mary Yost, Mrs. Fred Hancock, Helen Hancock, Mrs. Lola Beatty and Mrs. Harry Corrin.
handwritten date of Aug. 1943
CALIFORNIA
a poem by Allen Jones
Hollywood, California
Jan. 10, 1928Miller Press
Dear Sir,
I thought you might see fit to put the writeup in the Press.My wife and I are having a wonderful time in the sunny South. We have traveled over four thousand miles without a mishap, and are hoping to until we get back in the spring.
Yours truly,
Allen JonesCalifornia
Oh come to the land of the Western sun.
Where every business is overdone.
Where the stores charge freight on the goods made here.
Ask them the reason and they think you queer.
They serve you climate with all your meals
Its so blame hot your back just peels.
The Ananias Club includes the state
From San Diego to the Golden Gate.
The movie stars marry twice a year,
Would marry again if the way was clear;
The grapefruit here is something fine.
Cross between lemon and pumpkin rind.
Where cows eat barley instead of hay,
and the cream gets lost in the milky way.
They sell you lots made of sand,
And make you believe it is really land.
They weight the sack and then the fruit,
Then weight them again and their fingers to boot.
They claim it is wet if it rains once a year.
You get so dry you can't shed a tear.
The chickens have mites, the dogs have fleas.
The desert wind blows and oranges freeze.
We shovel sand and you shovel snow,
Just about a stand-off, far as I know.
So tune up your Flivver and start for the west,
Where jobs are scarce and pay is less.
Bring all your cash and plenty of clothes,
When you get any more, the Lord only knows.
I am tellling this story which I know is true,
As seen by me through eyes of blue.
If the booster club ever gets this back,
They will change my eyes from blue to black,
They asked me to write the truth to a friend,
Now I have done so and this is the end.
P.S. This is sure a great place for the rich people and the poor people stay poor.
clipping from Miller Press, 1962
Area Students Receive Superiors at Redfield Piano Music Contest Speical to The Press
Myrna Cotton, Correspondent
Two area music teachers had 11 pupils receive superiors at the grade school piano music contest held in Redfield Saturday.
Mrs. Leroy Blanchard, who teaches music in the St. Lawrence school, entered 17 students with eight receiving superior and nine receiving excellent. These eight brought Mrs. Blanchard's total of superiors for her pupils to 40 since 1948 when grade school contests began. Receiving superiors for Mrs. Blanchard were Sally, Dick and Eddie Koc, Barbara Andrews, Bonnie Wilson, Sharon Strasburg, Nicky Carter and Susanne Nelson. Receiving excellents were Marles and Mark Matter, Kathleen Kaufman, Gerald Kaufman, Barbara Kluthe, Beverly Hall, Susan Halse, Mary Halse and Nicki Heidepriem.
Students of Mrs. Wallace Baker receiving superiors were Janet and Robert Robertson, Linda Biddle and Lynette Roesler. Excellents went to Rick and Muriel Clegg, Joyce Creager, Jan Chipman, Gary Grey, and Twila Conkey.
Virginia Burgher, who takes lessons from a Huron teacher was listed with the Huron pupils, also received a superior.
1917 Letter to the Editor
Casper Kluthe Writes
(from The Criterion, a Dodge co., NE area newspaper)
In writing to the Criterion from Howell, South Dakota, under the date of February 5, Casper Kluthe says:
First of all we have had an eight day blizzard, and at this writing it is still doing its best. January 31 we had an awful cold wave, the temperature being as low as 44, which I think would surprise some of my old friends of Dodge if they would have a spell like that, but we can stand it all right beside a good warm heater. Our stock is all under shelter, but I hope it will quit storming soon for we have had enough of it now.
The crop of 1916 was good except wheat, the black rust taking that partly. Oats yielded from 40 to 80 bushels per acre, speltz 30 to 50, corn 35 to 65, flax 8 to 12, and potatoes were good too. Hay is very cheap, costing 50 cents to $2 per ton, and straw we burn to get it out of the way.
We raise lots of cattle and horses, and all high grade animals. Horses are cheap, selling from $125 to $200. Cows cost from $80 to $150.
Hoping everybody is feeling happy, and with best regards to all my Dodge friends.
from an unknown Hand County Newspaper
Thank You to Carolyn Rosemore, who narrowed
the dates for this poem at either 1924 or 1928.
If you have information that can narrow it down furhter,
please let me know
A LEAP YEAR POEM
Dedicated to the Young Men of Hand CountyI've been thinking of it lately
And I'm sure it is a fact
That the girls around this county
Want to try the leap year act.Slim Miller has been patient
Looking forward to this year.
Now if you pop the question
It will fill him with good cheerAnd there is Kid Eggerling,
As lonesome as can be;
If you think he'll turn you down
Just ask him and see.Albert Weisler is so lonely
Or if he's not I'll miss my guess.
Now be careful, dear, you girls,
Cause he'll surely answer "yes."We had thought that Jewel Campbell
Long ago had made a catch,
But you hadn't better ask him
Unless you want to make a matchCarl Hardes is still waiting
Just let me give you girls a hunch
Whoever gets this fellow
Will get a honey bunch.Harry Wortman is a fellow
With light and curly hair,
And will take most any woman
Fat or lean he doesn't careNow here is Alfred Davis
Just entered in his strife,
He says he would be happy
With most any kind of wife.Lawrence Hunker is another
And you'll agree he's not so old
Now girls, you can't miss him
Cause on you he'll spend his doughNorbert Nabor, the handsome
Girls you must look out for him
Do not mention lifelong friendship
Or he'll surely rope you in.But if you are up against it
And can't find one high or low,
Bud Davis will take the offer
If you'll bring along the doughFrank Schaefer, Our patient Frank,
For a handsome girl does sigh.
Just set your hat upon the window
And he'll be yours by and by.Martin Weisler is on the market
He says he wants a chosen mate
Nab him girls this very moment
Before it is too late.Now all you girls of Hand
Just listen to this rhyme
The boys within this county
Want you all to name the time.Now my dears do not be bashful,
For I'm sure the way is clear;
And remember what I tell you,
Its quite awhile till next leap year--Contributed
from an unknown Hand county newspaper
Thank You to Carolyn Rosemore, who dated
this article at 1915.
Class Song
by Vesta Kruger
Tune--Wait for the Wagon
As we our bark unmoor to-day
From dear old Miller High
We're thinking of the happy days
In four short years gone by.
The path lies bright before us
Our hopes and aims are high
Yet none of these can rival
Memories of Miller HighWe'll miss the old Assembly Hall
With all its joy and woe
We'll not forget our Physics Class
No matter where we go.
May thoughts of by-gone school-days
Bring comfort, joy and rest
Help us to journey onward
Until we reach the crest.CHORUS
We hope that you will not forget
The Purple and the White.
Our thoughts are of you comrades
As we're leaving you tonight.
May the yellow rose ne'er wither
But bloom in fragrance sweet.
When as a class we're parted
Here never more to meet.CHORUS
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