The Black Hills Weekly from Deadwood, South Dakota • Page 1

Will Seek to Use BH Airport This Summer The Lawrence County board of commissioners, meeting Wednesday afternoon, agreed to obtain a firm decision from the State Highway Department on continued usage of the Black Hills Airport through the summer months. The decision was reached after a formal request was made by the Black Hills Forest Service to maintain its slurry base there during this year's fire season. The board also agreed to retain the present system under the cooperative agreement for fire protection of the Exemption Area with the Forest Service drawing up the contract. Infant Found Dead in Crib Carolyn Joyce Beman, 2- months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

David Beman, Deadwood, was found dead in her crib shortly before noon Friday, acwording to Sheriff Richard T. McGrath. Death was apparently from natural causes, according to the attending physician and Ray Fidler, Lawrence County coroner, who assisted in the investigation. The infant was born Dec. 10, 1969 in Survivors in addition to her parents include two brothers, David Edward James, 11; the nal grandparents, Mr.

and Mrs. Harold Kolbrek, Sioux Falls; the paternal grandfather Dunrise Beman, Redfield, and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Mavis Cuthrell, Wyoming, Dela. The body was returned to Sioux Falls for burial in the Hills of Rest cemetery. Infant Son Dies The infant son of Mr.

and Mrs. Dennace Welch, Deadwood, died shortly after birth Tuesday. He was born late Monday in Homestake Hospital, Lead, and later transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital, Deadwood. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of the Wells Funeral Home, Deadwood.

The commissioners further indicated the need for the coordination of efforts and a "chain of command" procedure in the event of a major fire within the area. Authorized was the signing of applications for the Federal Communications Commission licenses for the Lawrence Civil Defense District. Conferring with the board on the system was Roy Bichel, Western Communications, Rapid City. A meeting of the board with the County Planning Commission was tentatively set for the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 10, after which a date will be selected for a public hearing on the interim zoning plan." Also conferring with the board on taxes assessed to the Deadwood of on a piece of property allegedly owned by the city were Larry Jeffries, chamber president, and Jon Mattson, state's attorney.

The board will next meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Local Youths Hurt in Crash Two Deadwood youths were injured in an accident early Saturday morning which brought extensive damage to the car in which they were riding. Taken to the Homestake Hospital for treatment were Kenny Ommen, and Bob Shama, both 16.

Ommen was treated for head lacerations and Sham a for possible internal injuries. Both were released but Shama was re-entered in a Deadwood hospital later in the morning. Ommen, driver of the car, told officers he was coming around a curve, when he hit some ice, lost control and the car swung around hitting the guardrail. The mishap investigated by the Lawrence County sheriff's office, occurred shortly after midnight one mile south of Deadwood on U. S.

85. Two other students in the car, Leo Diede and Larry a were not irjured. A LOT OF SMOKE is what the students in the Deadwood schools saw Wednesday morning as fire broke out in a house located right above a small playground at the side Faulty Wiring Is Blamed For Deadwood Home Fire Faulty wiring was believed the cause of a fire Wednesday morning in Deadwood which caused extensive damage to a three-story home. The house, owned by Joe Porter, Deadwood, and occupied by the Joel Williamson family, is Woman Charged Local Stabbing Mrs. Velma Frances Cross, Deadwood, held in the Lawrence County jail in connection with the multiple knife stabbing of Arnold Crotty Jan.

31, has been charged with assault with intent to kill. Arraigned Friday afternoon before Judge Richard A. Furze, Mrs. Cross asked for a courtappointed attorney and William Severns was named to defend her. Bond was set at $1,000 cash or $2,000 surety and the arraignment was continued until Friday, Feb.

13 in order that she might consult her attorney. Crotty, who sustained five serious knife wounds in the fracas, is still hospitalized in Rapid City. fine el The Black Hills Spearfish Couple to Face Jury A Spearfish college instructor and his wife have been bound over to the March term of Circuit Court on 11 counts of child abuse and intent to do great bodily harm against their fouryear old adopted son. Judge Richard A. Furze, at the end of the preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon, ruled that there was sufficient evidence on which to hold David Carroll Eddings, 38, and Judith Lee Eddings, 32, and ordered their bonds of $2,500 each continued.

Only six witnesses were called Thursday afternoon at the ses-. sion in the Lawrence County courtroom at Deadwood which overflowed with the crowd of interested spectators. With every seat taken as well as all available standing room, one man was even perched on a ladder which had been propped against one wall for storage. Judge Furze, before the testimony was resumed from Tuesday's adjournment, warned the audience that the courtroom was not a "Roman arena" and if there was any disturbance, all spectators would be. cleared out.

Another MDU Witness Another Montana-Dakota Utilities Company employee took the stand to add his testimony to that of three fellow workers who testified at the first session Tuesday. John Ladson, Spearfish, told of a visit to the Eddings house on Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. to read the meter. He said that Mrs.

Eddings turned on the light and took him down into the basement. Ladson said that he noticed the child in the cage and that Mrs. Eddings told him that they had a problem with the boy not wanting to eat his food so as punishment he was put in the basement and that he had been and rear of the high school. Damage was tensive to the third floor of the house. (School Photo) Weekly Vol.

35, No. 7 Witnesses Tell of 'Child Abuse' Neighbors, a student, utility company employees, a doctor, a dental technician, baby sitters and a beautician paraded on and off the witness stand Tuesday to tell their stories of child abuse allegedly administered by a Spearfish college professor and his wife against their four-year old adopted son. Although twelve witnesses against David Carroll Eddings, 38, and his wife Judith Lee. 32, in four hours, the preliminary hearing held before Judge Richard A. Furze was adjourned until 1:30 p.m.

Thursday when about six more will be called including the law enforcement officers who made the arrests. Eddings and his wife were arrested Jan. 22 and charged them with child abuse and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. Eleven Counts However before the preliinary hearing got under way in for Child S. der cross examination the deputy told the defense counsel Ed Brandenberg that the hand was hurting the boy so badly that he could not use it to pull on his boots.

Callies testified that he noted eight or ten severe bruises on the child's lower extremities and right arm; that the basement smelled strongly of cat litter from the three cats; and that the bowl containing the child's food smelled of horseradish. Brandenberg's cross tion of each witness included questions as to whether they had noticed the water heater valve, the type of furnace in the basement, other appliances and cleaning supplies down there; whether the size of the "cage" wasn't as large as some rooms; wouldn't it be normal to have a room dark when a child is put down for its nap; and whether they had noticed the leather workshop in the basement. sure under the basement steps wearing only an undershirt. Dr. Meade described Scott David Eddings' appearance as "bewildered, friendly but frightened." On first examination he noted one of his hands were swollen as if circulation had been impaired; that the child walked with a limp, had a small cut on his cheek and a bruised leg.

A later and more extensive examination disclosed that the child had multiple bruises on both legs, both old and fresh; an abnormality of the scalp. Dr. Meade said that perhaps most evident thing he noticed was the fright and furtive glances that the child made each time someone came down the steps into the basement. Doctor's Observations Other observations by Dr. Meade included a partial can of beer, an open bottle of horseradish, a saucer in the boy's a small potty chair, one-half of a large safety pin hung from a small hook in the Spearfish, State's Attorney Jon Mattson and his deputy Scott Moses, and the other officers, he knocked at the door.

Crotty and Deputy McGrath went to a basement window where they saw a light and kneeling there heard a child crying and "swatting" noises. After pounding again on the door, it was opened by Eddings, McGrath said, and they all went down into the basement where they found Mrs. Eddings in the "cage" with the child, who was in the corner, standing on his tip toes with his arms stretched high above his head, wearing only a small shirt. McGrath said that he placed both Eddings and his wife under arrest, ordered Crotty to handcuff the husband and take both of them upstairs. No Light He described the various items of evidence which he ordered photographed and testified that the window screen which was used as a door to the enclosure was held closed with a hasp through which a screwdriver was forced.

McGrath said that he obtained permission from Eddings to return to the house the next afternoon to inspect the basement during the day to see how much light there was. McGrath said that two of the windows had double curtains so that no light could get through and the only light at all was the very little, which came through about a one-halfinch crack in another one on the south side of the basement. The boy, who McGrath described as frightened and bewildered with tears in his eyes, and his younger sister, who was in a crib located in the dining room, were taken to the home of Gary Richards, Spearfish city attorney, where they spent the night. Adding to the testimony was Deputy McGrath who said that he asked the boy how his hand was bruised and he pointed to the small board on the bed. Un- District County Court Tuesday afternoon, Judge Furze granted a dismissal of the original charges on motion of State's Attorney Jon Mattson, who immediately filed a new complaint signed by Sheriff Richard T.

McGrath, with essentially the same charges but with 11 different counts dating back as early as the fall of 1966. Ed Brandenberg Belle Fourche, who is serving as legal counsel for the Spearfish couple, waives a formal reading of the complaint, entered a plea of not guilty for his clients, and asked that the record show that he reserved the right to move for separate trials for Eddings and his wife. Dr. Thomas Meade, Spearfish physician and the first to testify, told of examining the child shortly after arrival with Lawrence County officers, Spearfish police and highway patrolmen at the Eddings home the evening of Jan. 22.

He told of finding the child in a fenced enclo- State Action Vital for Schools out of committee due to the heavy opposition which it will receive from other districts. Cut Will Mean Little The bill would be well within the governor's recommended aid to elementary and secondary education and the one-sixth slice of the $3.1 million proposed allocation would mean very little less to the other districts of the state but would bring Deadwood an estimated $80,000, he stated. The additional funds would permit the Deadwood district to bring its teachers' salary scale to that of the neighboring cities, instead of the $1,000 to $1,500 less than other districts which has been necessary to keep the budget balanced. Council Mulls Sales Tax Problems Wednesday, February 11, 1970 Abuse down there two days then. Pictures Taken Following as a witness, was Ralph Noonan, Spearfish photographer, who had been called by Sheriff Richard T.

McGrath to the Eddings home to make photographs of the basement and items of evidence. Noonan identified 15 black and white pictures including a restraining device hanging on the wall, a door which was laid on two packing crates with a mattress on top of it; the boy's swollen hand; the steps leading from the kitchen to the basement showing the "rear view" mirror installed which gave a view of the boy's the dining table at which the couple and their 18-monthold adopted daughter had been eating dinner; the gas meter near a washing machine; two different views of the wire enclosure; the bed and its restraining strap, the half of the large safety pin hanging on the wall; the table inside the enclosure on which was sitting a beer can, a bowl, a jar with a spoon in it and two small boards; a toilet seat which featured restraining straps of cloth and a rope, and other photos showing some scratches on the wall and some spots. Another set of colored pictures taken by Noonan of the boy after he had been removed to a home in North Spearfish were used to record for evidence the bruises on the child's thighs and legs. Sheriff's Account Sheriff Richard T. McGrath was the first officer called to describe the scene of the arrest Jan.

22 about 7 p.m. at the Eddings home. Assisting him were Tom McGrath, deputy and jailer; Ron Callies, state motor patrolman; and Charles Crotty, deputy. McGrath said that the case of alleged child abuse was called to his attention the morning of Jan. 22 by a MDU official and that afternoon he questioned employees who had reported the incidents and took statements from them.

He said that he obtained a search warrant from Judge Furze and then accompanied by Dr. Thomas Meade, "Remind our legislators that Deadwood schools have a problem and still need assistance." That's what Supt. Frank Blaine urged local businessmen Tuesday noon when he addressed the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon meeting held at the Bodega Cafe. The school administrator stressed the need to wire, write or phone state legislators recommending the adoption of House Bill 714 which will give all school districts which have levied the maximum for five years an extra grant of $2,000 per classroom. He noted that although the bill would not require any extra taxes, there "isn't a prayer" that it will get which the mer- meet the chants of Deadwood may face starting April 1 if one of the city sales tax exemption clauses is not clarified were tossed to the city council when it met Monday evening for the regular February session.

Cal Wahl, State Department of Revenue, who has been serving as consultant to Deadwood in setting up the city sales tax administration, pointed out the problems that will develop if a complete clarification is not made on trade and services rendered to residents outside the city limits. It was noted that Exemption under Deadwood's ordinance rules that receipts from sales of tangible property are exempt from city sales tax where delivery is outside the city; and provided the purchaser resides outside the city. Jon Mattson, city attorney, questioned the need for that specific exemption, suggesting instead that Deadwood follow regulations of the state for less confusion, applying the state sales tax rulings to its dealings in other cities much as the state does in transactions in other states. Wahl emphasized that the matter will have to be decided in the near future in order to Brandenberg, who declined to call any witnesses, agreed to the entering of the state's 36 items of exhibit, for the purpose of the preliminary hearing. The Belle Fourche attorney, however asked that count 11 of the complaint be dismissed on the grounds that there was no evidence that on the evening of Jan.

22 that the Eddings caused any hurt to Scott David, only that deputies Crotty an and McGrath heard the child crying and a slapping sound. also pointed out the fact that the bruises were located in an area of the body where they would do no great bodily harm. He also denied any evidence of cruel punishment or unnecessary torture involved in any of the counts. Mattson, in requesting that the court let a jury decide the matter, pointed out that "those of us who have come to know the little boy know how good he' is and that none of this torture was necessary." concrete block which the child demonstrated by pointing it into a small wound on his arm; and a screen-type apparatus, which the physician said was appareently used to hold him down. Under cross examination by the defense attorney, who presented a well-thumbed paper back edition of Dr.

Spock's book on child care, Dr. Meade admitted Its author is an authentic reference in the field of pediatrics and that the child appeared to be "husky" and not suffering from malnutrition. Also taking the stand were three service employees of the Montana-Dakota Utilities Company, Wayne Massie, Belle Fourche; William Baxter, and Sam Glanzer, both of Spearfish. Baxter, who is also a student at Black Hills State College, told of visiting the Eddings home on two different occasions, one about Sept. 25, 1969 and again on Jan.

19, 1970; once to change a gas meter and the other time (Continued on Page 3) Using charts to clarify the financial picture for the businessmen, Blaine made a green and "red" comparison of mounting costs and declining income. He noted that since 1961 there have only been two times that the two have been equal; once at the time of reorganization and again when the staff was cut and income was up slightly. The coming year's budget of $461,000 is in excess of the anticipated $435,500 income, he explained. The working budget, well pared down, calls for $23,965 for administration; $330,850 for instructional costs, $44,500 for operating costs; $6,050 for maintenance; $11,935 for transportation; $41,400 for fixed charges which include social security, plan and in order to ex- Bank pedite their study has set up two meetings a month instead of one. Other Action In other action the council went on record: -supporting the efforts of the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce to have the four faces of Mount Rushmore graved on the back of the one dollar bill; -approving a $1,500 building permit for Ray Hardy for a garage on Denver Avenue; -authorizing the payment of one-half Recreation Center custodian's salary from the parks department and the other half by the Recreation Center.

The council also decided to withhold approval of a plat of the property of Arnold Crotty and Mrs. Agnes Kettelhut until the deeds of five other pieces of property along the railroad right of way in the same area can be clarified. The plats were submitted by A. B. Mitchell, Lead, who is surveying the property which was deeded to the city by the railroad back in 1937 Action was also withheld on a $3,225 budget for this year, submitted by the Deadwood Municipal Band, after it was noted that no provision had been council that the First National retirement, insurance 100 for food services, which may be funded out of the lunchroom proceeds to realize additional savings; $500 for activities subsidy and $500 for tuition, which Blaine indicated will exceed this figure.

"If we are pressed for additional salary increases for the teachers, we will need additional revenue," he predicted. Efforts to obtain state aid for Deadwood have been futile due to the fact that the county's assessment sales ratio is set at about 38.9 per cent as an average. "State officials lose interest unless a county sales ratio is at about 60 per cent, feeling that the distressed district should do more to help itself at had been advised by its attorney, Clinton G. Richards, that it would not be feasible to loan money for the city's share towards the purchase of a new fire truck by the fire department. It was pointed out that the present council cannot legally bind a future council on such a matter.

The city attorney also informed the council that a letter is being mailed to owners of property in need of condemnation setting a deadline for them to conform to the requirements. Referred to the city attorney for further study and possible amendment was the city ordinance governing sick leave. Special guests at the council session were a group of 8th graders and their teacher, Mrs. Florence Pock, who informed the aldermen that the class plans to organize this week, and to 'offer their services to the city with the possibility of obtaining a seat on the council or Recreation Board. Mayor Shea, in complimenting the students for their clean-up.

work around the school, noted that five will serve as assistants to the city librarian and others will volunteer their services at the Adams Memorial Museum. Don Ostby, of the police com- the local level, said Blaine. This has remained true despite the fact that the county commission believes that assessment is well at the 60 per cent of true property value in the Hills. The Deadwood administrator says that should the bill be enacted it could require an affadavit from the district asking the assistance, showing that the county commission has been requested to hike the sales ratio but has refused. Efforts Are Futile Blaine is of the opinion that the bill would help utilize the state aid to education funds to the best advantage, and help the distressed districts become an "asset" instead of a liability (Continued on page 3) Problems legal publication dead- could be lines before the sales tax goes into effect April 1.

It was also stressed that the matter has to be settled quickly so that meetings with local retailers can be set up for instructions on the administration of the sales tax. Wahl also asked the council to give serious consideration to adding a clause to the ordinance which will require the registration of transient or out-of-town solicitors before they can legally do business in Deadwood, providing a. fine in the event that they fail to do so. Council members were asked to study the matter further and a meeting of the finance coinmittee was called for 7 p.m. Thursday.

The board was also approached for assistance on improvements to the road to Mount Moriah and the parking lot which was established there last summer. Appearing in behalf of the Chamber of Commerce was Don Derosier, who serves as chairman of the Broken Boot and Mt. Moriah Cemetery committee of that organization. Derosier, citing the importance of that tourist attraction to the city, asked the council to consider the allocation of funds towards the project' and whether or not outside money utilized, if it could be zoning obtained. Mayor James Shea noted that the street funds for the coming year have already been committed but referred the matter to the internal improvement committee for further study.

Parking Lot Progress A progress report on the new parking lot proposed for the business district was given by Dave Miller of the City Planning Commission, who promised that a complete cost estimate will be compiled within another two weeks for the council's consideration. Plats submitted by Jerry Pontius, city engineer, and Ruben Hoffman, of the county Resource, Conservation and Development, have established about 8,000 square feet in the Row property; 464 in the Sellers tract; 7,900 in the Trucano property and 426 in the Sherill land behind the Fairmont Hotel. A letter to the council from John E. Baggaley, vice president of the First National Bank of the Black Hills, Deadwood office, informed the city that firm's desire for an option on a 50 foot by 50 foot piece of ground at the rear of the bank. Miller also informed the council that the Planning Commission recently received a 78-page mittee, announced that Lem.

located at 474 Williams at the rear and side of the Deadwood public schools near one of the small playgrounds. The fire was reported about 11 a.m. and firemen worked for nearly two hours before locating and confining the blaze, according to Fire Chief Tom McGrath said that apparently the fire started in an electrical fixture in the bathroom, burning the ceiling on the second floor and spreading into the third floor. Firemen were hampered due to the false ceilings and storage areas between the walls and roof and the fact that the fire was burning in the partitions in the walls. McGrath reported that the third floor was badly gutted and that the second and ground floors sustained extensive smoke and water damage.

The fire chief noted the fact that should the fire have burned out of control, it would have endangered the old part of the high school with its all-wood interior. McGrath, in praising his volunteer firemen, pointed out, "If we had had another truck to replace the worn out 22-year-old Dodge, it would have helped us a lot." Kuhl has been employed as the new city dog catcher and that a crackdown is being launched against dog ordinance violators. made to take care of the $300 deficit which 'still exists from 1969. The band will be asked to resubmit the budget to include the payment of this debt. Mayor Shea asked the aldermen to investigate, whether or not the public wants a city band, taking into consideration that bands for Deadwood's Days of '76 celebration are usually obtained on a reciprocal basis, and that if the city continues to maintain a band it should provide enough funds on which to operate it.

Complaints on sidewalk shoveling violations prompted Mattson to advise the council to crack down on enforcement of the ordinance which requires the sidewalks to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall. He pointed out to them that the city could share liability in a damage suit should enforcement be neglected. The councilmen also agreed that all landowners will be held responsible for delinquent water bills in the event that the tenants fail to make restitution. Mattson also reported to the.