Identifier
MA 23
Dates
1932-1991
Extent
0.42 linear feet (1 document case)
Abstract
Henry Langford Loucks (1846–1928) and Richard F. Pettigrew (1848–1926) were influential figures in the progressive and populist movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Loucks, a Canadian immigrant and farmer in Dakota Territory, became a leader in agrarian reform, organizing the Territorial Alliance and later presiding over the first national Populist Party convention in 1892. He advocated for cooperative business ventures, government ownership of key industries, and direct democracy, playing a key role in South Dakota’s adoption of the initiative and referendum in 1898. Pettigrew, a lawyer and land surveyor, was instrumental in Dakota’s political development, serving as a U.S. Delegate and later as South Dakota’s first U.S. Senator. Initially a Republican, he later embraced populist ideals, opposing corporate monopolies, and promoting economic reform. Both men were prolific writers, with Loucks publishing works such as The New Monetary System (1893) and Pettigrew using his political influence to advance progressive policies.
The collection consists of correspondence between Loucks and Pettigrew from 1914 to 1916, primarily discussing political issues related to the progressive movement. It also includes photographs, Loucks’ published editorials, and his 1917 pamphlet Will the Farmer be the "Goat" Once More?, which addresses agricultural and economic concerns. Their letters provide valuable insight into early 20th-century political discourse, reflecting their efforts to challenge corporate power and advocate for reform. As leaders in the populist movement, their exchanges document key strategies and ideological shifts that shaped political activism in the Midwest, highlighting their lasting impact on American political and economic thought.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Recommended Citation
SDSU Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, "H. L. Loucks Correspondence with R. F. Pettigrew" (2025). Archives Finding Aids. 24.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/archives_finding_aids/24
