[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF WENTWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to the 
125th anniversary of the founding of the city of Wentworth, SD.
  The first settlers came to Wentworth by horse or oxen-drawn wagons, 
and were mainly from Milwaukee, eastern Atlantic States, Minnesota, and 
Iowa. The land had few trees, and most of the settlers built and lived 
in sod houses. On December 15, 1880, the land was surveyed and platted 
for owner Rinaldo Wentworth and the town was later named for his 
father, George Wentworth.
  In 1880 the first business--a grocery store--opened its door in 
Wentworth. In 1881, the first train came into Wentworth, in 1904 the 
first telephone line was installed, and in 1917 electric street lights 
were turned on. There were several hotels that operated in early 
Wentworth as well, including the Commercial Hotel, which is now on 
display at nearby Prairie Village.
  Wentworth will be commemorating its anniversary with a celebration 
from June 30 through July 4. The town plans to hold golf tournaments, 
parades, softball tournaments, car shows, and fireworks. The 5-day 
event promises to be a great opportunity to celebrate such a historic 
milestone.
  Even 125 years after its founding, Wentworth continues to be a 
vibrant and progressive community. I am proud to honor the 
accomplishments of the people of Wentworth, and congratulate them on 
this impressive achievement.

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