Story submitted by Linda Wiley Quarenberg descendent
Editor’s note: The Beacon found this particulary interesting especially considering Belle Fourche was over 110 years ahead of the current move by our government to end the use of the penny.
Historical story of early Belle Fourche, mud, and pennies in about 1913 from “The Quarnberg Family, A Century in Dakota” by Pam Penfold Gueninm, page 25.
Carl in the story is Carl Quarnberg, son of Hans and Minnie Quarnberg; all three of Tri-State Mill fame.
“Carl points out that life in Belle Fourche in the early 20th century was about as uncomplicated as his father’s (flour mill) laboratory. The town had a population of between 800 and 900. Some of the people boasted that, although a small town, Belle had ten saloons. These bars were restricted to one street on the west side of town, and were supported by the cowboys who came into town from the neighboring ranches.
The streets were dirt, resulting in a mud gumbo after each rain. Freighting outfits with six-horse teams drawing two wagons would come into town from the ranch country to load up with supplies. The wagons would get stuck in the mud, and hours were spent trying to get out of town with the loaded wagons.
Many young bachelors, including Carl, were in the habit of eating breakfast at Charlie Lovinger’s restaurant and store. One day a stranger walked in during breakfast and bought a ten-cent cigar, paying for it with a nickel and five pennies.
In those days, there weren’t any pennies in circulation in Belle; merchants didn’t want them and gave no change less than a nickel. The popular saying was “No penny change makes for a good town.”
When Charlie Lovinger saw the five pennies on this counter, he graciously thanked the stranger. But after the man walked out, Charlie took the five pennies out and threw them into the street, where they disappeared in the mud.”
Respectfully submitted by Linda Wiley, daughter of Jack and Mary Ann Wells. Mary Ann was a granddaughter of Hans Quarnberg.
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