ben's father
In Little Town on the Prairie (Chapter 20, "The Birthday Party"), Laura Ingalls Wilder writes much about her first "grownup" party, celebrating Ben Woodworth's (15th) birthday on January 28, 1882. Have you ever wondered where Ben's father was during this party? He's not mentioned; he's nowhere to be found.

Horace Woodworth wasn't in De Smet for most of January to March, 1882. He had been appointed one of twenty-eight delegates from Dakota Territory who traveled by train to Washington, D.C. to present "A Bill to enable the People of the Territory of Dakota to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the Admission of the State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States." The group spent planning time in Chicago before going on to Washington. Rev. Woodworth regularly sent letters home to tell about his travels and experiences.

Surely, Rev. Brown and Charles Ingalls not only went to the Depot that evening to escort their daughters home from the party, but to ask Mrs. Woodworth and family, "What's the latest word from Washington?"

In one of his letters home, Rev. Woodworth wrote: "Washington is a splendid city, of which everyone may justly be proud. It may be Boss Shepherd is not so bad after all. He certainly has redeemed the Capitol of the Nation, from mud to cleanliness. Men, women, children, and horses, move about strictly in parlor style. No one hurries. No one is rude. The prospect of the admission and division of Dakota is flattering. Both the Committees on Territories for the Senate and House are favorable. David Davis, Pres. of the Senate, says he will vote for it. We have a committee, who will put into pamphlet form a statistical showing of the facts. After that three to five will be all that need to stay longer, unless they choose. We shall certainly be admitted unless discord amongst Dakotaians beats us, which I think is not likely. The great advantage of admission is, that capital will lose its shyness, and come to our young communities more freely."

South Dakota become a state in 1889.
- posted by pioneergirl at 8:41 PM