At a meeting of the business men in 1901 held
to petition Congress for a Government Building, Congressman Martin
proposed that the business men form a commercial club to further the
interests of Deadwood. On Dec. fifth, 1901 the business club was fully
organized under the name Deadwood Commercial Club. D. A. McPherson,
Harris Franklin,
S. W. Russell, Geo. V. Ayers, James Munn, B. P. Dague, and John R.
Wilson were chosen the board of directors. These chose John R. Wilson
as president, S. W. Russell as Vice President, C. A. Coe as Secretary,
and R. N. Ogden Treasurer.
The membership was one hundred and fifty. Quarters were provided in the
Waite Block. Here billiard tables, card tables, and other things were
provided for the members. Since the building of the Opera House, the
parlors have been moved to the second story of that building.
The club was instrumental in having the Government building and the
Franklin Hotel built. They are using every possible means to bring
Deadwood and the Black Hills into prominence. Some of the most recent
work was the giving of prizes to students in the various high schools
in the Black Hills to instill in their minds the value of boosting the
Black Hills while merely children. Perhaps that was the reason for some
of the members of the Nugget staff proposing that they get out a Big
Black Hills Booster, this book.
The present Secretary is H. W. Troth and N. E. Franklin is president.
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