After it cost me an arm, leg, and part of my soul, my South Dakota political ribbons arrived from Texas this morning – and they are nice! The picture I had from earlier did not do the Pettigrew ribbon justice:
The Teddy Roosevelt – William Taft – Chas. H. Burke for Congress ribbon.. I’m guessing is for the 1908 Congressional race, as Roosevelt and Taft were on the same team at that point before the split in the Republican Party (sound familiar?).
The Frank Pettigrew – the Pickerel Statesman – First Senator from South Dakota ribbon- From the 1894 or 1900 race. Given the style of other ribbons I own with this style fringe (Wolsey for Capital 1890) this might be the earlier 1894 race.
And a real gem – this 1890 South Dakota Republican Ticket ballot ribbon – which makes it tied for my 3rd oldest ribbon. AND it has a crazy slate of collectible “themes” connected to it; It has the 1890 vote for Pierre as the permanent seat of government. It is connected with the state’s Women’s Suffrage movement (Shall the word “male” be stricken from section 1 article 7 of the constitution). AND it is a super rare campaign piece advocating for Governor Arthur C. Mellette, South Dakota’s first Governor.
The rest of the piece leads me to believe that this originated from here in my residence of Brookings as it advertises for several candidates which match those noted as being on the Republican ticket in the October 10, 1890 Brookings Register.
Some great items returned from the wilds of Texas back to the bosom of South Dakota!
And it helps me fill out a frame for South Dakota’s first US Senator!
