vCLAUDIO continued from page 11 having an unusual variety of pets has taught them responsibility, compassion, and created lasting bonds with animals they may never have had knowledge about before. The pets in the Yaggie family have provided a source of fun and happiness, far better than what many children experience from electronics. While having a raccoon is illegal in some states, and is considered an exotic pet and requires special permits in others. It is legal in South Dakota and many other states however. In Arkansas, the limit is six exotic pets per household though. Many people have had wonderful, long term relationships with raccoons as pets, but it isn’t something to be done without some serious thought. Raccoons can be unpredictable and destructive to belongings. They require lots of time, patience and supervision. Just like many other creatures, raccoons have varying temperaments, with some being better than others. President Calvin Coolidge had two during his time in the White House, named Rebecca and Rueben. When asked if the Yaggies have any future plans to release Claudio back into the wild, Jason was uncertain. “He’s free to live with us as long as he wants, as long as he continues to get along with everyone.” One thing is for certain, living with a raccoon is never boring. n vMURPHY continued from page 13 Always marching to the beat of her own drum, Dr. Murphy’s attire was not typical for women of the time period. It is reported she wore “mannish” style clothing fashioned by local tailor Lubitz and Taylor. She tied her hair straight back in a tight bun and wore a felt hat with a long hat pin which she said, “with my hat pin and buggy whip, I’m not afraid to go anywhere.” (Karolevitz) Dr. Murphy’s style was direct and sometimes considered “gruff ” and “aloof ”. Working in a male dominated profession in the wild and wooly frontier perhaps created some of her persona. She was kind and caring but tough when she needed to be. One example is a young lady who was being chased by drunk men up onto her porch. Not only did she protect the young lady, she decided to run for city commission and clean up the streets of Yankton! In 1919, shortly after South Dakota ratified the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, she entered office as Yankton’s first female city commissioner. She won without opposition and was appointed “street commissioner”. Using her new power, she posted a blacklist in each saloon, and if any saloon owner served alcohol to any of the men on the blacklist, she would personally close the saloon. Around the time she was a city commissioner she also served as the first female county coroner. After World War I ended, her practice became very demanding, so she hired another female physician Dr. Lottie Bigler. Eight years earlier, Dr. Murphy became the National Medical Examiner for the Got Inspiration? Degree of Honor, an insurance society. She served the society at both the state and local levels. In 1922, the same year Dr. Bigler purchased the medical practice. Over the next eighteen years, Dr. Murphy continued devoting her time and skills to the Society until her second retirement in 1940. In retirement, she loved photography and working in her gardens. She was best known for her beautiful gladiolas. Never a person to lay idle, Dr. Murphy continued to be involved in the community and organizations such as Rebekah Lodge, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Business and Professional Women’s organization. Dr. Jennie C. Murphy passed away at Sister James Nursing Home on November 3, 1959 at the age of 94 and is buried in the Yankton cemetery. The Dakota Territory attracted some amazing daring people here to settle the land. Dr. Jennie C. Murphy was a true pioneer woman who was kind and caring yet tough enough to endure the environment of the frontier. A woman way ahead of her time she is one of the characters who helped define this great town we call home. n Sources: First Female Doctor Ahead of her Time, “The Way it Was” Bob Karolevitz, Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan 1996 Frontier Women: A Model for All Women? Joan Sochen 1976 Dr. Jennie Murphy, Lois Hintgen and Larry Hintgen 2014. We would love to hear about who and what inspires you. Do you know someone that should be featured in hervoice? Submit to: hervoiceonline.com