“Drawn to the land: Homesteading Dakota”, a SD Historical Society traveling exhibit, funded by the Cutler family as a tribute to Judge Alden and Elizabeth Cutler, is being shown at three different locations in Wessington Springs during the month of October. Shown with a portion of the exhibit at the school above are, from left, Penny Wenzel, activities coordinator at Weskota Manor Avera, Arlein Fransen, Jerauld County Heritage Museum volunteer and Jason Kolousek, Wessington Springs Elementary School principal. True Dakotan PHoto/Duke Wenzel

“Drawn to the land: Homesteading Dakota”, a SD Historical Society traveling exhibit, funded by the Cutler family as a tribute to Judge Alden and Elizabeth Cutler, is being shown in Wessington Springs during the month of October. It has been shown at Weskota Manor, and will be on display at the Elementary School during the coming week, and during the Sacota Craft Fair this Friday, October 18. On October 23,24 it will be a part of an Open House at the Heritage Center, and at the Dunham Historical Society annual meeting at Hillcrest Heights, October 27. Watch the True Dakotan for times. The exhibit tells the story of the thousands of homesteaders from overseas and the Eastern U.S. who came to Dakota to make a home for themselves and establish the communities that now make up this state. It is of special interest to local people, both because the exhibit is being sponsored by the Cutlers, and because so many Jerauld County people can trace their roots to some of those homesteaders who came to Dakota during the years between 1860-1920. Judge Alden and Elizaeth Cutler were “Drawn to the Land” Continued from page one ————————————— civic-minded people, active in helping to build the community through their work with the city, the school, the Methodist church and local organizations. Judge Cutler was the first president of the Library Board and did all of the legal work connected with obtaining Carnegie Foundation funding for building the local public library. He was clerk of the School Board for 40 years, taught a Sunday school class, was city attorney, states attorney, and county judge. He was a Spanish-American War volunteer, and spent a year in France with the Y.M.C.A. during World War I. He was a member of Kiwanis, and the Masons and Shriners. Mrs. Cutler was also a long-time Sunday school teacher, a Red Cross volunteer, and a member of P.E.O. and Eastern Star. The Cutlers were the parents of three children. Their son Roland, and grandson, Richard followed Judge Cutler in the legal profession. The Alden Cutler Scholarship is presented to an outstanding Wessington Springs High School graduate each year.

Be Sociable, Share!

•