HISTORY ON THE LAWN AT THE HISTORIC ADAMS HOUSE – WATER WARS

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by local historian Wayne Gilbert at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 24, 2018, at the Historic Adams House. The event is wheelchair accessible. Please feel free to bring your lunch.

How dry was it in the 1930s? By May of 1934 there was so little moisture that a stock pond northeast of Belle Fourche was already drying up. A dispute arose over ownership and possessory rights to the pond. A cattle rancher was watering his stock at the pond. A neighbor was also trying to water his sheep at the pond. Someone cut a hole through the dam that held the pond. One morning a group of the sheep men apprehended the cattle rancher’s hired hand. A fracas ensued, and the hired hand was tied to a lariat behind his horse. Someone spooked the horse. It took off at a gallop, and the hired hand was dragged over cactus, sagebrush, and rocks for more than half a mile. His assailants were charged with riot and assault with intent to murder. This presentation will deal with the incident itself, the criminal proceedings, and the civil lawsuits that followed.

Wayne Gilbert is an amateur historian who works in legal research and investigation. After spending nearly forty years in Rapid City, he returned to his home town of Belle Fourche. Gilbert is a member of the board of directors of the West River History Conference, a South Dakota Humanities Scholar, and a life member of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers. He has portrayed Rapid City founder John Brennan and other historical figures. Gilbert’s other presentations include: Crow Dog, Incident at Lightning Creek, The Disappearance of Fossil Cycad National Park, Vigilantes in the Black Hills, and South Dakota’s own “Hoosiers” or the story of the undefeated State A Belle Fourche High School Basketball team of 1957. He continues to try to get to the bottom of the legendary Ghost of Redwater Hill, but so far his research has not been successful.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Deadwood History, Inc., Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Jerry Greer’s Engineering, and Saloon No. 10.

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We inspire the global community by preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Deadwood and the Black Hills in the context of the American West through exceptional exhibits, innovative educational programs and access to extensive collections in unique settings.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House and
Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.