Non-fiction Chapter Book Juvenile Fiction
Date Published: 10-30-2025
Publisher: Solander Press
While her sister Laura chronicles their life on the frontier, Carrie
Ingalls forges her own path. This is the story of the “forgotten”
sister, a frail child who grows into a resilient woman of the American West.
From the hardships of pioneer life, Carrie emerges as an independent
journalist, newspaper editor, and landowner, quietly shaping the futures of
fellow homesteaders and proving that strength comes in many forms.
EXCERPT
Chapter 9- The Proof King of South Dakota
E.L. Senn was often called the final proof king. He made his fortune by buying newspapers and
charging homesteaders to publish their final proof documents in his papers.
These “final proofs” served as written evidence that a homesteader had fulfilled the
requirements for land ownership. Each settler had to publish an announcement in their local
paper for five weeks, stating their intention to make proof (secure the legal title) for their land.
These proof notices needed to include witnesses who could testify that the homesteader had
met the government’s requirements.
Think of it as a public announcement. Before a homesteader could receive the official deed to
their land, they had to prove they had lived there. Publishing a notice was their way of shouting,
“This land is mine!”
Newspapers competed to be able to publish these documents because they were a significant
source of income for the papers. By 1907, Carrie was thirty-seven and working for Mr. Senn in
Pedro, South Dakota, just a few miles from her land claim. She performed various tasks,
including typesetting the paper and designing advertisements, another revenue stream for rural
newspapers.
Senn, a ruthless businessman, hired women to work on his newspapers because he felt they
were hard workers. His newspapers primarily published legal notices but later expanded to
cover local news. Carrie was a good fit for his newspapers as a woman and a landowner. Being
single made it easy for her to move from place to place whenever Senn bought another
newspaper.
By 1909, Carrie had established herself as a premier editor, typesetter, and contributor to
several South Dakota newspapers. She was known as a hard worker with an eye for detail.
During this time, she became the editor of the Pedro Bugle, a very prestigious job, especially for
a woman. However, the town soon faced hardships. The once-thriving town had dwindled to
only 16 residents and three businesses. One reason was that once land in a specific area was
owned free and clear, the need to publish five-weekly notices disappeared. The paper soon
became unnecessary since the land was all claimed, and the businesses didn’t need to
advertise.
Carrie’s next editorial position was in 1910 at the Roseland Review. Her attention to detail made
her skills desirable. Unlike Pedro, Roseland was thriving with homesteaders and new
businesses. The newspaper’s “final proof” business grew as those homesteaders became
established.
Each “final proof” had to be published correctly; a simple error, like a misspelled word, would
mean the homesteader had to wait until the evidence was republished, thus delaying their land
ownership. Carrie recognized this and became known for her flawless production of “final
proofs”.
When claims for owning a mine, such as a gold mine or copper mine, were subjected to the
same rules as homestead land, Mr. Senn saw another opportunity to make money. He bought
newspapers in mining towns. Suddenly, he had an additional income source because miners
now had to publish their claims just like homesteaders did. Who did he send to ensure the
newspapers he purchased ran smoothly and efficiently? Carrie Ingalls.
About the Author
Award-winning author Clarissa Willis writes children’s books. She has authored
four picture books and one chapter book. Bloomers on Pike’s Peak, the
story of Julia Archibald Holmes, received a Will Rogers Medallion Award and
was a finalist for the Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award in
Children’s Picture Books. Her book Fast as the Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry
Pony Express Rider won a Will Rogers Medallion in 2023. The Three Little Pigs
and the Not So Big Bad Wolf, released in early 2025. It tells a familiar story
with a new twist. She believes childhood is a journey and strives to make it
joyful through her books and public speaking.
Clarissa loves traveling and has a special connection to the American West.
She finds inspiration in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, and the Rocky
Mountains of Colorado. In fact, her next book, Not from Around Here, is set in
Sedona and chronicles an unusual friendship between a young cowboy and his
friend from far away.
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