brought so much hardship to the new settlers, and by the Messiah Indian War. In the establishment of the precedents which were to guide his successors in office, as well as in the general administration, he was wise and prudent. He died at Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1896, and his ashes repose in the cemetery at Watertown.
Charles H. Sheldon was the second state governor (1893). Mr. Sheldon was a farmer, residing at Pierpont in Day County. He was a public speaker of great ability and of very pleasing address. He was reëlected in 1894 and died soon after the close of his second term.
Andrew E. Lee followed Governor Sheldon (1897). He was the only Populist to occupy the position. Governor Lee was a trained business man of strict integrity, and he tried to carry his business methods into the administration. He was governor during the Spanish War and rendered the state excellent service in providing for the equipment of the state's quota before it was mustered into the federal service.
Charles N. Herreid was elected governor in 1900. His administration fell in the pleasant years of great national prosperity in which South Dakota led. The state has known no better period, and the tact and wisdom of Governor Herreid contributed to that end.
Samuel H. Elrod, succeeded Governor Herreid in 1905. He filled the office wisely and acceptably, and was followed in 1907 by Coe I. Crawford, during whose term many progressive laws were passed for the regulation of corporations and the prevention of corrupt practices in politics.
