In the summer of 1978 I was the Capitol Tour Guide. During that summer Kelley Construction, Tom Kelley had the scaffolding in the rotunda that went to the top of the dome. Workers were cleaning, painting and restoring the inside of the dome. It was easy to climb to the top, but once there, the scaffolding would move back and forth as much as 10 inches. I do remember scooting down step by step on my seat.
One of the great events was just an ordinary day in the rotunda and Governor Kneip had exited out his back door of the office to come over to my desk and chat. I do not remember the conversation, Gov. Kneip and First Lady Nance were dear friends of my parents Tom and Janis Kelley and we saw each other on a regular basis. At this same time that Dick was visiting a family from California walked up the front steps and were greeted with a quick hello from Governor Kneip as I approached them about a possible tour of the building. When I casually commented that that was the Governor of South Dakota, they almost fainted. They could not believe that the Governor would be without any body guards and talking to the general public. I still think how great a state we live in. That summer there was quite a bit of renovation going on. My dad being the contractor, I did get to see "behind the scenes" a bit and I have great memories of that summer.

I have a lot of stories about what happened in the Capitol Building with my conflicts with Janklow. I remember several years ago, I was in the recption office trying to get some information about abuse of power from the Janklow officials. I had 4 questions I wanted answered. I submitted the questions to the receptionist and waited for an answer. The answer I got was Tom Dravland, then the head of the SDHP came up and twisted my arm behind my back and pushed me out of the office. When I had been pushed out, I asked to be released. Colonel Dravland refused to release me until I was out the Capitol door. That didn't please this old serviceman.

Dravland is now the head of Homeland Security. Janlow's thugs are still working for the state.

ANOTHER CAPITOL BUILDING STORY

After Katrina, I volunteered for the Salvation Army and served in Boloxi, December and January. I made a lot of friends there. Some of us kept in touch and one was from Minnesota. Later on that summer, she said she was coming through SD and was going to be in Pierre and wondered where where we could meet. Since she was not familiar with Pierre, I suggested the Capitol Building because it was easy to find.
We agreed to meet there.

As luck would have it, I had another reason for wanting to be there. I had just built a banjo out of some woods from SD and I wanted to see what it sounded like in the Capitol Building. That building has interesting acoustics.

I got there a little early and took out my banjo and picked out a few notes. Things sounded fantastic! Soon three state workers came out and asked me to play a couple more tune for them, so I did. They went back into their offices and I put my banjo back in the case.

About a minute later, a man and his little two year girl came up and he asked me if I would play another tune because his daughter loved to dance to banjo music. I did. I again put my banjo in the case.

Shortly, my friend from MN arrived and we were talking about places she would like to see. All of a sudden two Capitol security cops appeared and kind of boxed me in. Thy said I was breaking the law for playing my banjo without a permit. I knew that was a lie because I had gotten premits before and this was not covered under that rule.

They threatened me with arrest if I didn't leave the building immediately. As they were escourting me out of the building, I asked if they knew who I was. One answered that they knew everything about me. I knew the problem wasn't playing banjo, but that my name was Merlyn Schutterle and they wanted me out.

Since I wanted to show my friend some sites, I didn't challenge them. My friend from MN was shocked at what happened.

I returned a year or so later and got my permission slip and set up a demonstration at the Capitol Building. I was not well received, but it didn't matter to me. We citizens have at leas a few rights in the USA.

I will post a photo of that demonstration.

mschutterle@hotmail.com

I see that the signs cannot be read clearly. What they say is, top: THEY HAVE BECOME SO OBSESSED WITH FINDING EVIL IN US THEY HAVE BECOME EVIL THEMSELVES.

The bottom one says, MAY THOSE WHO HUNGER FOR POWER SOON STARVE TO DEATH.

JANKLOW AT THE STATE FAIR

It was the year after Janklow was elected to the US house. He was to speak at the Freedom Stage at the state fair. I couldn't resist. I had to see this.

Janklow spoke for some time always in the third person. I foud that interesting.

While he was speaking, I wrote him a note to be delivered in person after his self admiration talk. I can't remember the exact wording, but it basically my note said that if he wanted to break my neck, I was available.

I went to the reception line and stood at the end. Janklow was greeting what he preceived to be his admirers and ocassionally kissing the women. It was clear to me that most did not appreciate that. Janklow had no clue.

When He came to the end of the line I was standing there with my hat pulled down so he didn't know who I was. He held out his hand, but I raised my hat and didn't accept his handshake.

I handed him the note. He immediately asked me if I was threatening him. I replied, "No, Janklow, I never threaten you, you threaten me."

He then pointed his finger at me and said, "If you mess with me, I'll kill you." I answered, "I understand the kill me part,Janklow, but what does mess with me mean?" He repeated the threat.

At that time his guards got between him and me and got him out of there. It probably was a good thing becaus that old Marine would have probably ended up in second place against this old US Navy man.

More to come.