John Brennan Diary
Feby 23, 1876
A party consisting
of WJ Martin
J.W. Allen
Mart Pensinger
Jno Brennan
Tom Ferguson and
Dick King left
Palmer Gulch
with a view
of laying out a
town some place
in the foot hills.
The party arrived
at Rapid Creek
same day and
camped near Bigg
Springs at mouth
of canyon. Next
day (24) the party
explored the valley
for about 20 miles
down.
Returning next day the 25 the
Party camped
At big tree at
point of rocks.
Here the party was
joined by several
others who had flollow(ed)
the party thinking
they were on a
stampede. There was
a meeting held the
same evening and
it was decided then
and there to lay
out a town site.
The next day, the 25th,
the town of Rapid
city was started staked
out, there were about
50 men present.
Those who assisted
in carrying the
chain tape line
and handling the
pocket compass
were John W Allen,
James Carney,
Jno. R Brennan
and Sam Scott.
The mile square
was stepped off,
after which there
was 6 blocks
surveyed and maped in the
center of the mile
square.
The lots in those
6 blocks were
drawn for by those
present. Each person
drawing 5 lots.
The drawing took
place on the prairie
near the center of
the mile square.
The same evening there
was a meeting held
and a board of
trustees elected
to hold and administer
the affairs of the
town for the benefit
of the people.
The board consisted
of Wm P Martin,
John R Brennan,
Wm Nuttall (Nuttal),
Maj Hutchinson
and John Allen.
They were elected
for one year.
John Allen was
elected Town
Recorder.
The first log house
was built by
Wm Nuttall.
The First Frame House
Was built by
John Brennan on
Rapid Street
on the 8th of March.
Jno R Brennan and
Frank Conley were
selected by the people
to accompany
CW Marshal,
Fred Edger and
Mr Fields for the
purpose of looking
up a road between
Rapid and old
fort Pierre. The
party left Rapid
the same day
and succeeded
in reaching Pierre
in seven days.
The party encountered
one of the worst
blizzards ever experienced
in this section of
country. The party
ran short of provisions
and went 24 hours
with anything
to eat except snow.
One horse died from
exposure.
On our arrival
at Pierre we found
about 100 men
there wanting to come
to the Hills. About
that time Gene Campbell
came up from
Yankton with a
party of about
100 men headed
for the Hills. It was
decided between
Conley and Brennan
that Conley would
pilot Campbell to
the Hills and that
Brennan go on
to Yankton in the
interest of Rapid
to see that the Town Plot ( which we had) be filed in the office at Springfield, and then return to Pierre in time to guide Dillon’s party to the Hills, all of which was carried out. Brennan arrived with Dillion party at Rapid on April 8, (1876)
On the 14th of March Indians made the first rade (raid) on Rapid running off 28 head of horses. Among the losers were Bob Burleigh, Dave Williams, Jud , Alias Curley, John Dugdale and Ben Notington.
The next raid was made on April 12, result Medican Man of the Indians killed Pap Madison’s dog and his wagon was cut to pieces.
The next raid was made August 21 of the same year when all of the stock in the vicinity of Rapid was run off. There was a party consisting of JM Leedy, Wm Johnson, N Newbanks, Jno. R Brennan, Hugh McKay and Jas Shepard, followed the Indians some 20 miles, endeavoring to recapture the stock but with out success.
The first dance was held at Rapid on February 22, 1877, it was held at Allen’s and Clossom On store on Rapid Street. Manager’s were Bob Burleigh, Brennan and Steel.