BHSU SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER HIGHLIGHTS PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S CONNECTION TO THE BLACK HILLS

The Leland D. Case Library for Western Historical Studies at Black Hills State University (BHSU), in partnership with the BHSU Foundation, will be hosting a fundraiser to benefit history scholarships Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Joy Center (1351 St. Joe Street) on the BHSU Campus. The evening will feature Joe Wiegand performing as Theodore Roosevelt, as well as a social hour with hors d'oeuvres and drinks, a silent auction, and introductory remarks on the friendship of Theodore Roosevelt and Seth Bullock by BHSU Professor Emeritus Dr. David A. Wolff.

Roosevelt first journeyed to Dakota Territory as a young man in the early 1880s on a bison hunting trip and later established a ranch in what is now western North Dakota. He is believed to have first met one of the Black Hills' best-known residents, Seth Bullock, on a trip to Deadwood in 1892, and the two became friends.

When Roosevelt died in January 1919, Bullock worked with the Society of Black Hills Pioneers to commemorate his friend. As Roosevelt's son Kermit said, "Seth Bullock was a hero-worshipper, and father was his great hero." Bullock supervised the construction of a 35-foot tower on the summit of what became known as Mount Roosevelt, not far from Deadwood. The "Friendship Tower" was dedicated on July 4, 1919. Bullock passed away less than three months later and was buried just below Deadwood's White Rocks, where he would have a distant view of the tower he built to honor his friend.

Joe Wiegand's larger-than-life depiction of Theodore Roosevelt honors a man whose daughter Alice once said, "wanted to be the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral, and the baby at every Christening." BHSU is thrilled to bring this outstanding performer to Spearfish. Wiegand will be introduced by BHSU Professor Emeritus David A. Wolff, an expert on Black Hills history and biographer of Seth Bullock, who will provide some historical context for Roosevelt's Black Hills connections. The evening will open with a social hour featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks catered by Cheyenne Crossing and silent auction bidding. Items up for bid include framed prints by artist Richard DuBois, images by local photographer Les Heiserman, historic images, books, and more. All net proceeds will go to history scholarships at BHSU.

Free parking for the event will be available. Please purchase tickets by October 3rd. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://libguides.bhsu.edu/tr. Questions may be directed to David Wolff at [email protected] or Lori Terrill at 605-642-6361.