[Hunting][South Dakota] Brush Center Gun Club Minutes, Spink County, South Dakota circa 1905-1915

Item Details

[Hunting][South Dakota] Brush Center Gun Club Minutes, Spink County, South Dakota circa 1912

Written in pencil on both sides of a 12.5 x 8-inch sheet of lined paper.  Old fold lines.  Good Condition.

Two-page manuscript minutes of two meetings of the Brush Center Gun Club submitted by Earl H. Allen, Secretary, regarding the organization of a two-team club hunt, the assignment of points earned for shooting various animals and birds in the competitive hunt, and the losers having to supply an oyster supper for all the hunters.  No date indicated, but circa 1905-1915.

Manuscript reads: “Meeting called to order at 8 o’clock, Mr. Swazy acting as chairman.  Motion made and seconded for Mr. Percy Spink and Mr. Manley Foster as captains.  Lots cast and Percy Spinks first choice.  Moved and seconded that the Harris Boys, Robert Gallup, Elder Slocumb, John Day & Calhoon Boys be admitted into said hunt.  The judges are: Mr. Little, Mr. Chase, Mr. Bird, Mr. Stelle.  Moved & seconded that the names of the hunters be turned over to the captains of the said hunt.  Moved & seconded that dogs be dispensed of during the hunt. Moved and seconded that the following points count: Chickens 25, Fox 110, Jack 20, Cot. Tails 10, Wolf 200, Badger 50, Weasel 25.  Moved & Seconded that Hawks and Owls be counted 20 points each.  By motion of the House, the losing side gets all game and furnishes an Oyster supper for all the hunters.  By motion of the House, the losing side furnishes a screen dipper to dip O[ysters].  Moved and seconded the day of the hunt shall be the 30th day of November and should a death occur to interfere with the said hunt, the captains have the right to change the date.  By motion of the House, the game must be here by 9:00 o’clock P.M.  By motion of the House, the game must be left outside the house.  By motion of the House, the meeting adjourned.  Earl Allen, Sect. 

Meeting called to order by J. M. Allen, Chairman Protem.  Results of hunt.  Manley Foster’s side 
2113 Points / Percy Spinks [side] 1670 [Points] / Difference 445 [Points].  Oyster supper to be 
held at Mr. Chase’s.  Moved and seconded that the supper be held Friday night, the 6th of 
December.  Division of house asked for in regards to a “Strictly Oyster Supper.”  Motion lost… Laddies fetch what they choose.  Motion made and seconded that in with Oysters there be cakes & meats.  [Oysters] to be dipped with ladle.  Adjourned.  E. H. A., Sect.”

The Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) December 1907 issue notes the upcoming Brush Center Gun Club Banquet. Spink County is due south of Aberdeen and west of Watertown South Dakota.

Photo albums of hunting clubs are not uncommon, but it is our experience that rural hunting club records are scarce.  

The point schedule likely is indicative of animals seen as threats to farmers and ranchers with wolves leading the pack at 200 points followed by fox at 110 and badger at 50. No mention made of game animals; it is unclear why chickens made the list. 

With the mention of game points, many surnames, and the arrangement of the oyster dinner to be hosted by the losing hunt team, this record, although brief, is quite unusual.