New item for my collection: 1889 South Dakota Alcohol Prohibition Campaign piece

I just received a new item for my South Dakota collection, which I’m very excited about.

It ticks off a number of boxes for me; very early in South Dakota’s History, a unique item I have not seen before, and Lee S. might not have this one, so there’s a chance he may be jealous.  (Just kidding. Lee has built up an enormous collection of South Dakota political memorabilia that contains gems that you’d be challenged to find anywhere.)

What you’re seeing is an 1889 South Dakota Constitutional Prohibition Organization Merchant Token.

The token was struck for the Constitutional Prohibition Organization of South Dakota in support of the temperance movement.  It would have generally been attached to a ribbon by members of the organization, as a symbol of their stance against alcohol.

Here’s a little better photography from the eBay listing:

This token was worn/distributed in the run up to South Dakota’s first recognized election as a state in 1889. Aside from electing our first Governor, South Dakotans voted for and against the State Constitution (it won, 70,131 for, 3,267 against), and, whether to support the prohibition on alcohol, which won, 40,231 to 34,510.

Depending on whether you consider the ratification of the constitution as a ballot measure or not, the token is a campaign piece for either our state’s first or second ballot measure.

I’ve added it to my “prohibition frame,” because the prohibition movement in the state is woven into big electoral events in state history. Aside from the obvious 18th Amendment, The WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) was involved for a time in South Dakota’s suffrage movement.

The WCTU played a pivotal role in South Dakota’s suffrage movement, particularly during the late 1880s and 1890s, by organizing grassroots efforts and lobbying for women’s voting rights to secure “Home Protection”. Leaders like Alice Pickler and Helen M. Barker utilized WCTU networks to push for suffrage petitions and campaign for the failed 1890 referendum. Susan B. Anthony enlisted the WCTU to mobilize support for the 1890 South Dakota referendum, merging temperance and suffrage advocacy.

Of course, woman eventually earned the right to vote in South Dakota. Even though some politicians (ahem, Liz May) still refuse to allow it’s recognition in the state constitution, despite that effort having started all the way back to the state’s inception.

If you have a unique South Dakota historical item, especially State Capital campaign ribbons, drop me a note. I’m always interested!