Opie Chambers of Dallas, chairman of the Gregory County branch of the state defense council was headed to what would become a high pitch confrontation between the Gregory County branch of the council and L. J. Duncan, State Manager of the Nonpartisan League.  Statewide interest was brought to a high pitch with the arrival of Mr. Duncan in Dallas and his meeting with Mr. Chambers.

Mr. Duncan had a two hour discussion with Governor Norbeck on the evening of March 19, 1918, where he asked the governor to make a careful investigation of the affair with a view of punishing those who participated in the attack on the league. 

Mr. Chambers had an interview with the governor on the morning of March 20 and gave his version of the affair at Gregory.  In conformity with recent newspaper statements given out by him, Chambers denied that he personally had any part in organizing the attack on the league organizers.  He admitted that he was there, but declares that his participation in the melee came about through trying to rescue the league organizers from the mob.

In any event, Mr. Chambers is frankly of the opinion that Nonpartisan League meetings should not be permitted in the state. If it was up to him and he had the authority, “he would prevent them from having any meetings in the State of South Dakota.”  He had also admitted his intention to apply the restrictions in Gregory County if continued in authority.

Mr. Chambers turned over to Governor Norbeck pamphlets and letters taken from the grips of the league organizers who were mobbed at the Gregory meeting. The pamphlets are the same as those which have been in general circulation for the past eight months, and which league officials claim have been inspected by government officials.

There were two letters which were especially cited as exhibits.  One of these was apparently received by an organizer from his wife. It is pathetic rather than vicious in tone. It expresses regret that the organizer’s family has been subjected to the finger of scorn because of the sedition charges raised against the league leaders. The woman tells of teaching her small daughter to sing patriotic songs.  Admittedly to modify the stings. Another letter refers to an acquaintance, apparently a socialist, said to have evaded his duty of registering at Chicago on June 5, 1917. It develops that the Non-partisan League put a detective in Gregory County to gather evidence immediately after the recent flare up at Gregory.

This investigator claims that one of the prominent members of the county defense council said that neither the Governor nor anyone else could grant the league the right to hold meetings in Gregory County, that the people of the county would handle that subject to suit themselves. Allegations as to this statement were put before Governor Norbeck by Mr. Duncan last night.

Governor Norbeck was non-committal about what he intends to do in regard to the Gregory incident.   He says he is still investigating and has not arrived at a decision.  It is fairly certain, however, that no prosecutions will be instituted at the present.  The evidence may be assembled and held on file for possible future use if there are new outbreaks.

Under a bill now pending before the legislature the state and county defense councils will be reorganized and it is quite possible these re-adjustments will be made the occasion for making some changes in the Gregory County Board.  Such action has been urged upon the governor, at least, and it is one of several things under consideration.

On other political issues, the first district congressional contest is the launching of a boom for C. C. Caldwell of Sioux Falls, now completing his second term as attorney general.  During the past year an effort has been made to center upon one Sioux Falls candidate to contest against Congressman Dillon, who resides in Yankton.

C. A. Christopherson and T. W. Dwight, both of Sioux Falls, have each formally announced for the congressional contest and all efforts thus far has failed to secure a clear field for either one. The present theory is that Christopherson and Dwight, unwilling to give way to each other, might be willing to give way to a third candidate. It is not yet certain that the theory will work out.

If it does not, Mr. Cadwell may not be a candidate.  Thus far he has merely expressed a willingness to oppose Dillon in the primary if the Sioux Falls situation can be cleared.

One of the jokes slipped over on the 1917 legislature came to light in a repeal measure which passed the house earlier.  A measure dealing with the construction of bridges and highways contained one section which said, “Provided that material used in the construction of culverts shall be at least 95.85 per cent iron.”  This provision eliminated the use of concrete, tiling, and wood in their construction.  It was a coup on the part of the construction companies dealing in iron culverts.

Both branches of the legislature have been making rapid time in passing bills to a vote, as very few of the measures thus far presented arouse any controversy.  There is an undercurrent against the appropriation of $20,000 for the state defense council.

On this one Senator commented:  “Even if they have to pay out some of their own money they are doing no more than many other people are doing and should do.”

 

Author Author Clarence Shoemaker, originally published in the Gregory Times-Advocate on November 5, 2025