National divorce law urged after South Dakota ruling
The 1903 pieces from Chicago papers urge a uniform national divorce law in response to a Supreme Court decision invalidating a South Dakota divorce granted to Massachusetts residents. They argue residency rules tempt temporary moves, undermine citizenship, and threaten social order, urging federal action to curb “divorce mills.”
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Record-Herald
United States Supreme Court
South Dakota
Massachusetts
Chicago
Inter-Ocean
Andrews
Charles S. Andrews
Capital campaign drives Mitchell’s capital move effort
The city braces for a hard fight to remove the capital to Mitchell. Residents express firm belief in victory on election day, insisting the campaign will be fought to the last day across two summers if needed. Capital sentiment grows, especially among eastern state residents who travel to Pierre most.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mitchell
Pierre
Treason Trial of Col Lynch in English Courts
The article notes Col Lynch, who aided the Boers against Britain, being convicted of treason by English courts. A British war correspondent who led a rough rider regiment, Lynch claimed Boer subject status before fighting, but England deemed it too late to switch sides once war began. The piece frames this as a warning against future incursions into the enemy’s camp. It mentions the death penalty but suggests leniency may follow. It also cites Gov Herried’s oil inspection critique, calling the state law a burlesque and lamp-chimney stench at adjournment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Col. Lynch
Lynch
South Africa
Rough Rider
England
Gov. Herried
Sioux City Editors Toast Local Groups After Meeting
Editors in Sioux City for a regional association meeting sent large bouquets through their papers to honor organizations responsible for the best time the boys had. The city will receive more advertising space and recognition as a result, with local papers proud to spotlight Sioux City as the gateway to South Dakota.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sioux City
Association
South Dakota
Hopkins Triumph in Illinois Senate Vote
A fierce Illinois fight over the senator election ends with Albert J. Hopkins nominated and elected by the joint legislature session. The Inter Ocean celebrates the victory, claiming Hopkins stands for clean politics and that the paper opposed many Chicago newspapers. State legislatures face recurring deadlocks, with Colorado, Delaware, Washington, and Oregon showing similar impasses as direct senate elections loom.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ilinois
Albert J. Hopkins
Colorado
Delaware
Teller
Washington
Oregon
Gazette declares independence from factions and cliques
The flaring front across the Gazette proclaims it controlled by no faction or gang while noting it was not named an official county paper by the commissioners. It discusses Bret Frad's recent pronouncement and the timing of his stance on the spurious collar issue as a late grandstand maneuver.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Bret. Frad
Frad Welcomes Republican Lead on City Plant Purchase
Brer Frad of the Gazette notes satisfaction that The Republican follows his earlier call to buy the city electric light plant. He is now in Mitchell’s newspaper business and urges harmonious support for the purchase, a stance he voiced six years ago before relocating.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brer. Frad
The
Gazette
Republican
Brer
Legislation to ban football unlikely to pass
The proposed football ban is unlikely to succeed in this state. Officials say the measure lacks strong support and while there will be an effort to pass the law, enough votes are not expected to be gathered.
Wealth and justice clash in a fractured Chicago coal case
The piece contrasts John D Rockefeller's wealth with a poor man's simple meal, recounting Rockefeller's offer of 1,000,000 for a new stomach and predicting guilty verdicts for forty five indicted coal dealers in Chicago when jurors must buy coal to keep warm. Senator Teller of Colorado wins reelection and may name his successor, with Republicans expected to challenge the seat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John D. Rockefeller
Chicago
Teller
Colorado
United States
Senate
Ife
Dispatches
TWO GIRLS NEARLY DEAD AFTER GAS ASphyxiation
Miss Dot Laughlin and Miss Alicé Boyer, Ashton residents studying at the university, barely escaped death Saturday morning from coal gas. They had retired Friday night in S. B. Spink’s southside residence, where a stove leaked gas. Laughlin awoke, alarmed others, but Boyer lay in a deep slumber until Dr. Bobb revived her. Relatives were notified.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dot Laughlin
Alicé Boyer
S. B. Spink
Miss Laughlin
Miss Boyer
Mitchell argues for a new electric plant to improve city lighting
A reader from Mitchell on January 22, 1903 criticizes the city light contract, noting eight lights for twenty years at 11 dollars per month each. He argues the current plant is overloaded and obsolete, producing poor light, and urges purchasing a new plant rather than expanding the old system. He dismisses keeping the old equipment and calls for a modern installation to serve a 30,000 population with all night service.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Republican
Mitchell
Sanitary movement eyed for Mitchell business district
A city council discussion reveals plans to remove nuisance buildings in the alleys east and west of Main Street to improve sanitation. An ordinance is expected soon, with added sewers planned to serve lavatories in business houses, and a push to keep rear premises clean once removals are complete.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Main Street
Mitchell
Joint Building Plan for Odd Fellows and Workmen Lodges
The Odd Fellows and Workmen lodges plan a joint building to replace their separate rooms. A 50 by 80 foot two story structure would house lodge rooms upstairs and two storefronts downstairs. A stock company will be formed to raise funds, targeting completion by fall if begun in spring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Odd Fellows and
Workmen
Odd Fellows
L. BE
Stair
A. J. Kings
R. M. Spink
Elton McKinley
C. E. Mason
S. B. Spink
Mr. Kings
Grand Lodge
Workmen Lodge
Engineers and Mechanics Praise Mitchell Capitol Crew
B A Warner praises the Mitchell delegation aiding in crowbar removal at the state capitol during the first week of the legislature. He calls them engineers and skilled mechanics, crediting their smooth handling of affairs for their town's interests with modesty and effective action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
B. A. Warner
Herreid
Eureka Blade
Pierre
State Capitol
Mitchell
Harry Bras
Branson
Tom Burns
Gen. Silsby
Also Mentioned on This Page
HE Mitchell Printing CO
D. W. Downey
Ition
Official
Joint Building Enterprise
Sherwin-Williams
IL. O. Gal
Mitchell Iron Works
China
C. Burnside
C. N. Vogus & Sons
Mitchell National Bank
U. 2
Q. Davison
N. L Davison
E. J. Quigley
M. Smith
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!