D.S. part 7- legacy and timeline

Advice from her dad, by Estelle Fontana:

"READING IS IMPORTANT"

Because Dad had quit school early in life, he always felt he was uneducated, but I think, and others have agreed, he was really well educated. He read a great deal--always had a book he was reading. He read the newspaper daily and subscribed to a number of good magazines. One thing I remember about home was lots of books and magazines. The girls, especially Cecile, read to me a lot. She probably wanted to keep me out of their hair or they were hoping I would get sleepy at bedtime. As a result, I could read before I started the first grade, at five years old.

"TELL THE TRUTH"

Dad rarely ever told me I couldn't do something. He would say, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." or "I'd rather you didn't" and tell me why. Then it was up to me. Sometimes I would rebel but then think better of it. I knew he had his reasons. Since he rarely said no it had weight when he did.

Dad hated a lie and didn't have much use for a liar. He expected us to be honest in every way. In the fourth grade we were studying about Abraham Lincoln and how he walked six miles after work to return a few cents to a lady he had overcharged. I thought that was wonderful and was telling Dad about it. He said, "Of course, wouldn't anybody do that?"

One time some kid came to the house that I didn't want to play with. I told Dad to tell him I wasn't home. He said, "I can't do that. You have to tell him yourself.”

I said, " Then he'll know I'm here."

Dad said, "That's right. What can you do about it?"

"I'll have to tell him I don't want to play with him.”

Dad said, "That's right, tell him the truth but do it in a nice way."

"WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE"

Dad said when he was young he was pretty hot tempered, but I never saw any of that in him. No doubt he mellowed with age.

I never heard him swear and he wouldn't allow me to even use slang. My friend Evelyn and I were playing Old Maid one evening. I was the Old Maid and I said, "BY GUM!”Dad said, "DON'T SAY THAT!"

Again, I was the Old Maid and I exclaimed, "BY Gum!"

This time it was, "STELLA! THAT'S ENOUGH!!"

The third time he sent me to bed. He would often say he couldn't understand how anyone could believe in God, and use His name as a swear word and, "By Gum!" was just a substitute for "By God."

He didn't take us to church nor talk religion he just live it.

People worried about us and women would take me to church or Sunday School, but I never went regularly. When I came home to live with him I went to the Episcopal Church as I had been going to it in Chicago. I tried to get him to go with me, but he would say, "No, you go if you are comfortable there, but I would feel like a hypocrite. I believe in God and Jesus Christ. I believe in the Bible, but the churches aren't like the Bible." He was so right.

"THAT LOOK"

He only spanked me once in my life. I was about 5 years old and I wouldn't eat my peas at dinner and I was kicking the table. I landed across his lap so fast. But he could give me such a look--when I needed a spanking ... that I would go and hide and that would settle that. Most often all he would have to do is look at me with that look that meant ••. l am ashamed of you .... and I'd run and hide.

"WORK HARD"

ALWAYS GIVE A MAN A DAY AND A HALF WORK FOR A DAYS PAY. THAT MAN IS DEPENDING ON YOU.

"GOOD HEALTH"

Dad was only sick one time in his life that I can remember. Some people thought he had cancer, but we found out it was only a bowel obstruction. The doctor, ‘picked up his stomach and slammed in back down again’, and it's been all right ever since.

He ate very little meat, he ate very little supper and somehow never got sick. When he died he wasn't sick, he was just sitting in his rocking chair smoking his pipe and went to sleep. The doctor said he probably didn't even know what happened .. a peaceful and quiet passing.

TIMELINE: 

DEE BILLINGTON TIMELINE…SOUTH DAKOTA  ERA ..and on

1879                Dee arrives at Deadwood after spending the summer in Bismark,

1880                Returns to Deadwood after a winter in Denver

                        - serves as jailor for 4 years

1883

Nov                 Bull Eagle (Cheyenne agency) gave Dee a buckskin suit, peace pipe, moccasins, knife scabbard, etc.

Dec.                 Jailor Billington told Chief Crow Dog the results of the first trial by the Supreme Court.- Deadwood

1884

Feb.                 Spotted Elk discharged from jail, but allowed to stay the winter by Jailor Dee Billington- Deadwood

March              D.S. Billington married Estella Loring Boyden   March 19   Lead, S.D.

June                 Bud Billington (Meriot-Dee’s brother) drives McClintock’s hack, Deadwood

1885                Dee files for stock brand:  DEE   August 1, Lawrence County Register of Deeds

Aug                 Baby boy born to Dee and Estella Billington August 25   -Deadwood

1886

Jan                   Bertie Billington, age 5 months, son of Dee & Estella Billington, died Jan 26-Deadwood

July                  Dee Billington kicked by a mule- Deadwood

Nov                 James Billington (brother of Dee) married Adelaide Beuter, Nov. 1

1887

March              Dee kicked by a horse in the leg- Deadwood

March              Dee’s team hauling lumber, ran away and plunged over embankment- Deadwood

Aug                 Son of James and Adelaide Billington died, Aug 16

Aug                 Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Dee Billington (12lb): Leo Sheldon: Aug 22-Deadwood

Nov                 Mrs. Florinda Atkinson Billington, from Kansas City visits sons Bud and Dee- Deadwood

1888

June                 Son born to Mr. Mrs.  Dee Billington:  Leslie Loring: June 2-Deadwood

                        Dee & Partner (James Rogers) began livery business on Main Street in Spearfish

                        Drove Stage Coach from Spearfish to Deadwood and back

July                  Dee Billington has a new three seat carriage- Spearfish

1890

Sept.               Daughter born to Dee & Estella Billington- Spearfish

Nov.               Edna , Daughter of Dee & Estella died, Nov. 22 ^-Spearfish

1892   

July                  Meriot (Bud) and Cora Agnes Eddy married July 6 in Carrollton MO

Sept.                Sidney Albert born September 17 to Dee & Estella -Spearfish

1895

June                 Hazel Atkinson. born June 24 to Dee & Estella-Spearfish

1899

Dec.                Cecile Abigail  born December 11^, to Dee & Estella- Spearfish

1901

June                 Jean Lilith born June 11^, to Dee & Estella-Spearfish

1904

Dec.                Florinda Atkinson Billington dies December 29, in Kansas City, KS

1909

March              Estelle Margaret,  daughter of Dee & Estella, born March 6th  Spearfish

                        Jean Lilith died, March 8 - Spearfish       

                        Estella Loring Boyden Billington died, March 13-Deadwood

1911                Leo married Ashley Lawrensen 

1914

Dec.               Dee appointed postmaster Spearfish Post Office/ Main Street, Dec. 29

1916                 Hazel married Joe Colaw

1919                

June                 Sid married Eva Sutton, Livingston, Montana June 28

1922                Cecile married Roger Bishop, Chicago, Illinois, June 1

1923 

Sept.               Dee retired as postmaster, September 1-Spearfish

1924                Dee worked for City of Spearfish Parks -part time

1937                Dee wrote to Sid from Spearfish/visited Montana

1938                Dee moved to California to live with daughter, Estelle

1944                Estelle Billington married James Fontana, June 11, Carmel, CA

1944                Dee died, July 5, 1944 - Carmel, California

D.S. Billington- part 6 retirement

When Estella died, Dee moved the kids to the house next to the livery stable, so he could be near them. Mrs. Curry came to help them with the newborn, Margaret Estelle. When he sold the livery, they moved back to the house on the edge of town. It is still there today, but since the city limits has moved about a mile west of there and a mile north, it would be closer to downtown now. There are too many trees now to see the hill and many other houses are built close by surrounding it.

D.S. Billington was appointed postmaster at the post office on Main Street on Dee 29, 1914 and served until Sept. 1, 1923. That building has been torn down and so the post office has had several different locations. A new post office is now being built on the north edge of town.

D. S. knew the history of Spearfish by heart and could tell you all about the people, places and activities. He always remembered the funny incidents and the funny people. Dr. Woodburn often visited with D. for hours because he wanted answers about some point in local history..

He was President of Spearfish Normal College. Dr. Fayette Cook was the first president of the college and he was a friend of the family also. Hazel Billington was best friends with Dr. Cook's niece, Helen. In those days there was no high school. There was high school classes offered in the college at that time. Both Cecil and Estelle attended high school there and then Estelle went on to college there so she was ready to teach school in just a few years. Through the college years and even some of her school teaching years, Estelle lived at home with her Dad.

Estelle has always said D. was a wonderful father. He said he'd never remarried because he just couldn't see anyone else in his wife’s place. He was not a complainer and kept busy and didn't feel sorry for himself. After the post office job, the job at the city park kept him busy except in the winter. He took daily trips downtown just to talk with the townsfolk. His son Leo and his family were there in Spearfish also, so they spent holidays, Christmas and Thanksgiving together. Sometimes he'd stop by and sit on their porch swing and talk with his grandchildren. The two families also held family dinners together. Leo and his family were still there when Estelle went out of town for her teaching assignments, and Leo was good to visit his Dad often. Bracky's general store was where Leo worked. D. liked to come and visit Leo at the store and at his home. He told tales of Spearfish beginnings to family and friends to keep the history of Spearfish and pass it on.

Added notes from Estelle: .

"DAD WAS INFLUENTIAL IN GETTING CABINS ADDED TO THE SPEARFISH PARK AREA. IT IS 150 ACRES OF PUBIC USE. THESE CABINS ARE FOR USE FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPERS. THERE USED TO BE A BIG DANCE PAVILION THERE.

THE HOUSE WE LIVED IN IN SPEARFISH IS NOW MEIR AVENUE, NAMED AFTER JOSEPH MEIR WHO BROUGHT THE PASSION PLAY THERE FROM LEUNAN, GERMANY. (IT IS OLDER THAN THE OBERAMOGAU PLAY. THE CAST IS JEWISH, SO THEY FLED GERMANY AND HITLER.) AT THAT TIME IT WAS A SECLUDED WOODSY AREA. A SMALL HOUSE AND A LARGE YARD. NOW THERE ARE THREE HOUSES THERE. THERE USED TO BE A OLD SWINGING BRIDGE CROSSING THE CREEK A SHORT WAY IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. OUR LOVELY PLAY AREA BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE BRIDGE AND DOWN ALONG THE CREEK IS ALL BUILT UP NOW. YOU CAN'T GET TO THE BRIDGE, IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY."

******

In his later life, Dee retired to Carmel California to live with Estelle. His heart though, was still in South Dakota and he spent many hours walking the beach and rocking in his rocking chair thinking about his life. It was during this time that he shared his stories with her and she in turn has shared them with us, his descendants, for which we are truly grateful. He life portrays a portion of the Great Western American History.

Estelle and her dad came back to visit their old home near Meier Ave sometime after moving to Carmel, California . In the summer evening they sat on the porch of their light yellow house and just as the sunset, they looked up on the hill side where someone had placed three wooden crosses out on the pasture land. They were placed there as scenery for the Passion Play that had become a popular summer tourist attraction for Spearfish. The play was put on outdoors not far from the old house. The hill in the front yard was terraced so as to make room for the house. The builder of the house was a civil war veteran. His sister lived behind the house. There was a house below and one more back and around the hill. Hendricksons lived in the house just before the Billingtons. Elijah Boyden, Estella's father bought the house for them when it was determined that they were not farmers and the farm at St. Onge did not work out for them. 

Dee was able to attend Estelle’s wedding to James Fontana on June 11, 1944, just one month before his death July 5, 1944, at age 89, and one day before his birthday. He fell peacefully asleep while sitting up in his rocking chair.   He is buried in the Rosehill Cemetery, Spearfish South Dakota.

D.S. Billington - part 5- a broken home - and interview with D -newsreports

A BROKEN HOME     (Newpaper Clipping--with corrections in parenthesis)

Death Angel Visits the Billington Household Twice Within Three Days:

Little Girl Died on Thursday and her Mother Passed Away Saturday

Never has it been the duty of the writer chronicle two sadder events than those which took place in the family of D.S. Billington last week. The death of the little six year old Gean (Jean)was mentioned in the Enterprise of last week, and the fact that Mrs. Billington was in critical condition was also noted. Soon after(before) the burial of the daughter, the mother was taken to the hospital at Deadwood for treatment her physicians deciding that it was the only course that would save her life.

Early Saturday morning word came from Deadwood that Mrs. Billington failed to rally from the operation and that death ensured a few fours after it occurred. The mother was not told of her little one's death before she passed away, her condition being such that it was not thought advisable to do so. The funeral services over the remains of Mrs. Billington were held at the Congregation Church at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. The attendance was very large and the deep sympathy of all was evidenced by tear-dimmed eyes and trembling lips as the solemn words of tribute to the dead were spoken.

The Oddfellows, Knights of Pythias and M.B.A. lodges attended in full strength, and W. J. Todd, of the Pythians, delivered a touching eulogy of the departed one in behalf of the fraternal orders. The services were conducted by Rev. S.B. McCarthy who told in reverent tones of the many quiet unassuming virtues of the patient home loving wife and mother.

Estella Boyden was born June 6, 1869 on board a steamer off the coast of Cape Breton. Most of her early childhood was passed in the Black Hills and there are many in Spearfish and vicinity who remember her as a bright, winsome girl. She was married to D.S. Billington on March 19, 1885(1884) at Deadwood.(Lead) For a time after their marriage the Billingtons resided on a ranch, but later moved into Spearfish and have made this city their home ever since. Nine children came to bless this union, six of who are still living.

Mrs. Billington was a woman whose heart and soul were wrapped up in her home and her family. No outside pleasures could lure her from the pleasure of caring for them and making that home the brightest spot on earth for those for whom she lived. The simple domestic beauty of her character was like a benediction in the home and the void which is left by her departure will never be filled. She has earned the highest tribute to which woman can aspire in this life--a faithful wife and a loving mother.

Beautiful flowers covered the casket as the last sad rites were performed-the tender tributes of loving friends. Their fragrance blended with the prayers that ascended from the altar before which she reposed so calmly. But the fragrance of the blossoms was faint and fleeting as compared with the fragrance and beauty of the life that has gone, and the prayers were needed more for the comfort and guidance of those left behind than for the pure soul of the departed.

****************************************************************************

The following articles are stories Dee related to Margerite Driskill, newspaper reporter for The Queen's Mail, in 1936, as he recalled his early days in Spearfish.  He lived first in Deadwood, then St. Onge, then Spearfish, SD, a short time with his son Les in 1940 in California, and then..at the end of his life, 1944, he lived with his daughter, Estelle Fontana in the Carmel/ Monterey area of California.  

One time assistant on a Missouri River steamboat, jailer at Deadwood, and livery man and Postmaster at Spearfish for a long term of years, D. S. Billington of this city can relate many interesting and amusing stories of the old time days beginning the spring of '79 when he first arrived in the land of the Dakotas at Bismark, Dakota Territory.

Mr. Billington is the son of a Texas landowner in western Texas; the Billingtons migrating from Kentucky to the west. In addition to his knowledge of farming Mr. Billington Sr. was an expert lock and gunsmith. When the Civil War broke out, the draft officer, noticing the. gun carried by Mr. Billington asked who made it and he replied that he had constructed the weapon. Mr. Billington was not sent to the front but was put at Tyler, Texas to help manufacture guns for the southern army. At the close of the war he turned his land and other holdings into horses and taking his family came over the Old Chisholm Trail from Tyler to St. Louis, Mo. in 1968.

When they reached the Arkansas River young Billington then 13 years old was riding his favorite horse. The horses were loaded on flat boats to be ferried across.  Young Billington swam into the river on his horse. The horses immediately got off the flat boat and swam after the boy. There was a number of Indians in skiffs on the river and Billington had hired them to help get the horses across.  There was a very young colt that so much enjoyed the water that it swam back and forth three times. The Indians became so interested in watching and laughing at the antics of the little animal that they allowed 20 fine head of horses to drown.

When they arrived in St. Louis, horses were such a poor price that the Billingtons decided to remain in the horse business, which they did, and from that time to the time a few years ago upon his retirement from business Mr. Billington has always been interested in horses.

"In the winter of '79 a neighbor of my family, Captain Wolfolk came to me," states Mr. Billington, “He said the Northern Pacific Railroad was building a steamboat, ‘The St. Louis’ to go up the River, with him as captain, to Bismarck and he wished me to go with him on the initial trip. I told him I knew nothing about a steamboat however he said he could make use of me, so I made the trip. At that time steamers could go as far as the Yellowstone which cannot now go as far as Bismarck owing to the filling of the river more and more, with silt from the upper reaches of its tributaries.”

"Upon our arrival in Bismarck the first work accomplished was the taking of an engine across the river to Mandan to be used to carry freight on the extension being built, by the Northern Pacific westward from Mandan to protect the workers on the railroad against Redskins and

to preserve some semblance of order in the lawless community.

What was my surprise to recognize an old school friend Lieut.Criel. He had gone to West Point since I last seen him and was now a full-fledged army officer. The army men had to spend their time mostly at Mandan. One evening Criel came to me when we were on the Mandan side and said a party of the officers anted to go over to Bismarck for a few hours' the next evening and could I arrange transportation. So the next evening I took a skiff belonging to the steamboat and rowed over and brought them back telling them to be on hand by 11 to 12 o'clock. They were there and I took them back and turned around to return to Bismarck. As I was about to start the worst wind and dust storm came up similar to the one we had here during November. I looked at the river with the waves piling high but as I was supposed to be back about 1 O'clock at the steamer, I concluded I would risk it. I guided it crosswise of the wind knowing I would not strike our landing place but far south. Sure enough I was about 3 miles out of the way. However about 4 o’clock I arrived at our landing place to find everyone much alarmed over my disappearance and the disappearance of the boat as well. 

"Those of you who might have been in Deadwood and considered it tough in the early days knew nothing of toughness unless you were in Bismarck in the 70's. The wharves were lined with dance halls and saloons with saloons predominating_.

    "When a boat crew was paid off they would start for town, possibly meet one which was just returning, then there would be a free for all. There was a young man with us, his father was president of the Northern Pacific at the time and Capt. Wolfolk was looking after him for his father that summer, his home being in St. Paul. One evening we wanted to go to town. Capt. Wolfolk whistled his steamboat and the locomotive of the Bismarck side came down to the wharf to get us. We had a wild ride over the two miles, the engineer putting on full steam. Arriving in town my companion proposed that we take in some dancing at one of the dance hall, so I agreed, but seeing a wagon spoke lying

in the road, I picked it up and put it up my sleeve_.

All went well for a short time when the future railroad president stepped upon the train of one of the queens of the red light district and she slapped him thereupon hades broke loose. "Follow me," I said to my companion, "states Mr. Billington, "and I'll get us out of here." With this I drew out the wagon spoke. In a moment they were on the outside and like Lockinvar of poetical fame, "They staid not for brake and they stopped not for stone" but never slacked their pace until they reached the landing two miles away.

 The sun blazed down on the mud flats in that far away summer; the hottest sun Mr. Billington said he’d ever felt and the mosquitos swarmed over them day and night.

“One particularly hot night," remembered the narrator, every- thing was open on the boat; the vessel being anchored near the shore. The next morning as soon as I opened my eyes I missed something, My Clothes! Sure enough every stitch of my wearing apparel had been stolen, also my satchel. I called to my chum Reed across the hall and he managed to equip me. About the time I was fitted out a yell went up from the cook - he had suffered like depredations to his wardrobe."

Not long after this, Mr. Billington let it be known in one of the wharf saloons that he and the cook would be glad to have their satchels returned with the keepsakes in them which would be of no value to the thief. A reward would be offered and no questions asked. In a few days the barkeeper told them their grips were in the alley back of the liquor palace. They went back there and under some straw were the missing bags_.

“Going into the saloon I went up to the bar and in language more forcible than elegant, I told them that the man that wanted the reward had only to come forward. For some reason or other he did not materialize.”'

In the fall of 1879 after spending the summer in Bismarck,D.S. Billington came to the Black Hills making his headquarters in Deadwood for a few weeks. That winter he went  to Denver where he remained until spring, he then returned to the Black Hills town and the Black Hills have been his home up to the present time.

While Garland was sheriff, Billington was offered the position of jailer. This was immediately before the desperado, Jim Lawton was hung. Manning was elected shortly after the outlaw was hung but so well had the jailer fulfilled his duties he was again given the position by the new sheriff, which duties he fulfilled for the next four years.

As in a fog certain objects loon unnaturally large so with the mists of memory certain events, phases of existence, or individuals stand out. Thus with Mr. Billington, phases of the conglomerate collection of people in Deadwood in the early days impressed him.

     In the capacity in which he was employed while in Deadwood he was thrown together with a mixture of people. “It was strange,” he said "that among the fallen women of the community many were of high education, had great musical ability and other accomplishments. They had started off on the wrong foot and landed at the mouth of Hades.^1” Among the men drawn by the lure of the yellow metal were likewise those of outstanding merit and of the highest morals, education and ability, but one characteristic was owned by all alike-charity toward the unfortunate and needy of the community._

"Thus," our narrator says, “never was a truer statement 

made than Estelline Bennett makes in "Old Deadwood Days,”

when she says, 'We were all one big family’."

Mr. Billington's first visit to Spearfish was made in the early 80's at which time he rode horseback over part of the trail which is now the highway between Deadwood and Spearfish. He stayed at the old Murray place that night. It was run by a negro and his wife and was at that time considered a decent enough place. It is the old building which was moved from its former location to a lot near the grade school in Spearfish. Afterwards it was turned into a house of ill fame and bears a  most lurid history.

That night before retiring Mr. Billington placed his gun

in the hall down stairs with a stack of other guns. It was a new

model not seen before in this place. "That night the hotel man gave 

me a room over the hall on the second floor," continues our storyteller.

 “I had fallen into a sound sleep when a rifle shot awoke me. 

 I jumped out of bed and the negro woman rushed into my room.

‘Fo’the Lo’d sake, is you hu’t?’

He replied that he was not hurt but upon examination, it

was found a rifle shot had entered the mattress missing him

by inches. It seems another lodger seeing the gun and noticing

it was a new model, picked it up to examine it and “Didn't 

know it was loaded."

An outstanding event which occurred not long after his arrival in Deadwood was a buffalo hunt in which he participated. As this was his first one, but by no means his last, it stands out in bolder relief than any later hunt.

After much discussion regarding the members and number to compose the outing, the personnel was at last decided upon. It consisted of Eaf Witcher, noted Black Hills freighter and son Jr., Elackis, well known old timer who recently died out on the coast, Dr. Kelly's stepson Berchy, a boy of about twelve years old, Rattlesnake Joe, and a trapeze performer from the Gem Theater.

     It was thought by the others that the trapeze performer would be an entertaining addition to the crowd. However Mr. Billington remarks that he was the worst grouch he ever met anywhere during the entire trip.

They took two teams and wagons to carry the camp equipment and bring home the meat, and a string of riding horses. The one ridden by Mr. Billington was an outstanding animal belonging to the sheriff's little daughter. She had insisted that he take her pet.

The hunters made first for the bluffs north of Belle Fourche to hunt deer. The first day they met Baum Mendenhall who was also after deer and they asked him to join them, so the next morning they went over to his camp to get him. But his camp was gone and there were signs that he had been taken in by hostile Indians. He was later released near Whitewood after they had stripped him of his belongings.

That same night it was decided to return, so they packed up and started. Topping a rise they saw the hills covered with Indians about half a mile away. The boy was in advance of the remainder of the party and the Indians chased him back to his crowd a much scared youngster. They brought in their stock

at nightfall but could not find the mules. Mr. Billington started out to look for them in the dark when something struck him in the chest, knocking him down. He called and the other came running, thinking he was shot by the Indians, but it turned out to be the mules and one of them had kicked him in the chest.

Before breakfast next morning, Billington decided to go to the camp to see if the Indians were hostile. As he approached the camp, he saw there were about 200 of them, plenty of ponies, travois, and camp equipment and that they had their squaws and papooses.

Shortly an Indian advanced to meet him and what was his relief to recognize him as Yellow Bird, an interpreter from Pine Ridge, a brave he knew well. Yellow Bird said Young Man Afraid of His Horse was the chief and was in charge of the trip and they were on a buffalo hunt. Yellow Bird book him to the chief and after visiting awhile Chief Young Man Afraid of His Horse invited him and his party to join them, the chief to have charge of the entire party and he assured them plenty of meat. Mr. Billington returned to his camp and it was agreed that they accept the chief's invitation. Our narrator states he was always glad they did for he learned much about Indian ways and habits he would never otherwise have known.

That night Young Man Afraid of His Horse sent out a scouting party and in the morning it seemed as though the camp was surrounded by coyotes. Then the detachment galloped in imitating coyotes as they came.

                                                                   ***

One day as the hunting parties went northeast they came across a large herd of black tailed deer. Billington started out on his swift pony to head them off. 'He succeeded in turning them in toward the camp almost causing a stampede. As he was cooling and exercising his horse after its hard run, the Indians came up to see at close range the horse that could accomplish such a feat, as they had never seen this done before.

                                                           ***

One evening the scouting party reported that they would strike buffalo that afternoon, large herds. The camp was immediately all bustle and confusion in preparation for the big event. When they came to the.herd, one hundred ten men formed in line, the Indians stripped to their waists, and Billington in his underwear and also bareback like the Indians. Billington was the only white man that would join the dangerous buffalo hunt and he immediately won the Indians acclaim by discarding his saddle and hunting as the Indians did.

'I,

Then Yellow Bird gave the word to go and Billington's horse left the others behind as the white man rode up and killed the first buffalo with his first shot.  He noticed the Indians left some kind of token on each kill to mark it as his own.  The chief asked him if he marked his kill, but he said no, that the white men’s buffalo were to go to the Indians anyway. The chase lasted over an hour when the chief recalled his men and immediately the squaws started out to skin and cut up the meat and to prepare large amounts of “jerky” for future eating.  The next few days were spent in camp watching the disposal of the provision.

“At the close of this hunt,” concludes our narrator, “we turned back toward home, using Bear Butte as our guide.  We ran across other buffalo herds on the return and we secured our meat.  This ended a most enjoyable, unusual and successful hunt.”

In the few years which followed, Mr. Billington came often to the valley town on one business or another and in ’89 he became the partner of James Rogers of Spearfish in the livery business. He did the principle part of the driving of the four-horse stage coach between the two places for many years. The place was located on main street and had the words: 

D. BILLINGTON'S BARN printed on the top side of the building.