J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "South Dakota Lotive" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Paper.Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Lotives of the 50 States South Dakotamemorative Cover postmarked December 29, 1994.During the late 1800s, the Chicago & North Western Railway reached South Dakota's Black Hills mining region via a subsidiary known as the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley (FE&MV). On December 29, 1980, the line was extended to the city of Deadwood. Founded during the 1876 gold rush, this town was described by 19th-century author J.W. Buel as being inhabited by "rough characters, cut-throats, gamblers and the devil's agents." To better serve this area's mining operations, the FE&MV built 18 miles of narrow-gauge three-foot trackage from Deadwood directly to the mineral excavation sites. Although the depression of the 1890s and the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 led to a reduction in traffic on the narrow gauge, by the early 20th century the railroad was again prosperous. In 1902, a dual-gauge spur of about two miles was built to Lead, South Dakota, in anticipation of a convention of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows. The following year the FE&MV was absorbed by the Chicago & North Western Railway, and by 1928 the narrow-gauge line was abandoned. The scene in this painting effectively illustrates theplexity of the railroad system in the Black Hills mining area. The FE&MV's engine No. 212, a rare 4-8-0 type built in 1902 by the Schenectady Works of the American Lotive Co., is featured on the second tier of a tri-level crossing. A miningpany train is shown on the highest trestle while a Deadwood Central train is depicted on the ground level.Image Size: 14 x 12 in.Overall Size: 18 x 15 in.Unframed.(B14919)