McLaughlin, S.D.: Local Politics on a Postal Level

In 1927, Representative William Williamson of South Dakota faced a dilemma regarding the retirement of Postmaster Frank Dennerly of the McLaughlin Post Office. Dennerly had served since 1910 but was a member of the Democratic Party and had been pushed out by local Republicans. As a U.S. representative, Williamson had some influence in the final candidate for the position but was caught between two candidates who had powerful backers: Lola S. Lund and George DeWalt. Ms. Lund was the sister of Harold Lund, a lawyer and ex-Alderman who had helped Williamson win the 1926 election through his father, Martin Lund, a member of the Farmer-Labor Party. Mr. DeWalt was a veteran of the Spanish-American War who was well established in the McLaughlin Republican Party, which had backed Williamson in the same election. Both groups were needed by Williamson to enact local Republican policies and both groups sought to sway him to their side.

Like USPS positions today, applicants had to take a test to certify that they could do their job and understood workplace rules. Factors that fed into the final score included math, handwriting, business experience, fitness and penmanship with each factor weighed differently in the final score. Business training and experience counted the most followed by math, but military service gave an additional 5 percent. The applicants had to score above 70% on the test before they could be considered and usually the highest scorer was accepted. For the position in 1921, only one person out of five candidates passed the threshold and that was Ms. Lund at 70.3%. Mrs. Marie Martin, a Democrat school teacher was the second highest but dropped out of the running after failing to qualify.

George DeWalt initially sat in fourth place with 62.7% but McLaughlin Republicans noted that his score lacked the 5% increase that his military service should’ve afforded him. Additionally, they noted that his business experience was noted as 55 when it should have been higher. In a letter to Williamson, they outlined their options if DeWalt was considered unacceptable: keep Dennerly in his position, accept Ms. Lund as Postmaster, or call for another examination in which they were sure that DeWalt would win. Furthermore, they threatened to withdraw support from Williamson during the next election if he didn’t support them, threatening his position.

For Lund, the process was straightforward, his sister had been the only one to score above the threshold and should have gotten the position. He argued that while local Republicans may not have been supportive of his sister, most of the town and businessmen supported her. Additionally, he argued that Harding’s Executive Order of May 10th, 1921 should have made it difficult to pronounce another examination when someone had already filled the requirements.

It didn’t take long for rumors to spread. According to County Judge Harry Wilmsen, Lola Lund had told a fellow test-taker that it didn’t matter what score she got as she was going to get the position anyway as Williamson owed her brother. Other city residents claimed that the results were inherently suspicious as it was the first time only one applicant had passed the exam and had done better than a schoolteacher. DeWalt supporters also accused her of being an Aberdeen resident which Harold Lund dismissed, pointing out that she went to school there but was a McLaughlin resident.

For Williamson, the matter was in his hands. The Civil Service Commission under President Harding’s 1921 Executive Order directed that first through third class postmaster positions needed to complete the examinations with the top three candidates submitted to the Postmaster General for recommendation to the President. Williamson noted that the order was flexible, but President Coolidge was adamant that politicians needed to defer to the commission. However, while these candidates generally needed to be certified by the commission, Williamson could influence them.

After discussing the matter with both parties, Williamson made his choice. He apologized to the Lund family and began to assist DeWalt in obtaining the Postmaster seat. On March 23rd, 1927, he wrote to the commission asking them to reexamine the results, boosting DeWalt’s experience and community ties. He then advised DeWalt to send a letter to the commission fully outlining his military and business experience and to triple check the letter for spelling errors before he mailed it. DeWalt eventually gained his seat as Postmaster while Lola Lund was considered certified by the Civil Service Commission.

Source: “Post Office McLaughlin, Corson County, South Dakota, 1927,” Box: 46, Folder: 3. Williamson (William) Papers, MS-175. USD Archives and Special Collections.

Feature image from "McLaughlin Golden Jubilee, 1909-1959: A History of McLaughlin, South Dakota Compiled in Connection with the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. McLaughlin, South Dakota: Jubilee Book Committee, 1959. Page 36."