The mayor paid their fines

         Originating as a station on the De Morés stage line at the forks of the Belle Fourche and Redwater rivers, Belle Fourche roared to life in 1890 with the arrival of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri River Railroad.

The little town quickly became a major cattle-shipping center, catering to ranchers and cowboys by providing the entertainment they were looking for – dancing and drinking, gambling and girls. 

             On April 20, 1903, the thriving cattle town incorporated as the city of Belle Fourche, electing 22-year-old S. G. Mortimer as mayor.

            The hardware store Mortimer bought in 1901, after moving to town from the Wyoming Bear Lodge homestead, gave him a daily ringside seat at downtown events and activities.

            With subtle humor he recounted his venture into the business world.

READ THE ENTIRE STORY in the March/April edition of Deadwood Magazine

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