Lived on a farm out in the country, Three miles from Spencer town Lost our farm in the depression, Did not go on relief Grandpa met Calvin Coolidge, In these hills we call “Black” In Deadwood Gulch first discovered, Gold in Eighteen seventy-five Like a jet it came flying, Down the railroad track so steep Every night carried water, From the Creek with a yoke Selling books to make a living, The Bell Book Candle Shop Living in this town of Spearfish, Sure has been good to me Spearfish is home to me! My name is Linfred Schuttler. I was born at 4:20 a.m. on November 2, 1924. I rode to school in a wooden bus with a long seat on each side. Our bus driver carried a shotgun with him so he could pheasant hunt on the way to school. I went to a one‑room schoolhouse for all 8 grades. I moved to Spearfish in 1934. My dad got a Job in the valley picking apples for a dollar a day. I had a roadside vegetable stand. I also worked in the post office as a clerk. I started a bookstore, Bell, Book, & Candle. I think times were a lot more violent back then. In the early years, cowboys raced their horses through town and shot doorknobs off the stores on Main Street. My advice to young people today is to pay attention and do the best you can do in school.
“Spearfish is Home to Me”
Words and music by Larry Long
with Mrs. Reinhert’s 3rd Grade Class
©1999 Larry Long
Where that big tornado, Blew that town to the ground
Father worked as a blacksmith, I rode to school on my feet
Soon we came to live in Spearfish, Once we did no turning back
Then came the gold miner, Panning gold to survive
On that flat ladder highway, To Spearfish from Terry’s Peak
To that Chinese laundry, To clean the miner’s clothes
Never been to good at singing, So I think it’s time to stop
But if I were a cattle rustler, I’d be hanging from a tree