Family on South Dakota Prairie

Most people in Canton, SD probably knew each other or knew of each other–if they didn’t, it wasn’t because The Sioux Valley News wasn’t keeping them informed.

Hardware Store in Humboldt, SD

The paper filled its pages with standard fare: world and national events, politics, serialized novels, and advertisements. Whenever it could, the paper added interest by personalizing local news. Most newspapers of the day had some sort of social section, which featured prominent citizens and their various parties, trips, and visitors. Similarly, The Sioux Valley News reported on the activities of Canton’s citizens, along with the activities of people in neighboring towns like Lennox, Hudson, and Beloit.

Chautauqua Auditorium in Candon, SD, circa 1902

However, the newspaper went even further by printing the names and details of less-than-newsworthy events. Within an advertisement for Cloud Bros. & Johnson Co., the paper printed the names of six people who had bought buggies from them the previous week. (Oct. 26, 1906). When Oscar Gifford received his appointment as superintendent of the Canton Asylum for Insane Indians, the paper persuaded him to let them run the letter he had received from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Besides the news that he had been given the job, townspeople could also read that Gifford was to receive “2,500.00 per annum” for it. (Oct. 25, 1901) Whether he had desired that this bit of financial information be broadcasted is unknown.

Likewise, when the paper printed the names of the asylum’s first staff members, it added, “Notwithstanding the most specific promises and a petition largely signed by prominent republicans of our city and county, Mrs. Naylor was not given a position at the asylum.” (Jan. 2, 1903) One has to wonder whether this public acknowledgement of her snub brought Mrs. Naylor further embarrassment or a sense of vindication.