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• Mellette guided the young state through difficult times. During a period of prolonged drought, Mellette raised a large supply of food, seed grain and fuel for those in need and administered these at his own expense. Mellette had used his home and real estate holdings as collateral to secure a loan from a business associate, state treasurer William Taylor. When it was discovered that Taylor had misappropriated funds from the state treasury, Taylor fled to South America. Mellette arranged for all his property to go to the state to cover Taylor's obligations.
• "Mellette earned a place in South Dakota history as a leader for the remarkable way he met crisis after crisis with honesty and integrity, and his steadfast determination to do the best that he could with the resources available," Timm said. "South Dakota State Historian Doane Robinson said in 1910 while reviewing the Mellette administration: 'The way was uncharted and he displayed a patience and wisdom which will always distinguish him and commend his memory.' I think Mr. Robinson stated it quite well."

• Timm is the author of " … And the Last Shall be First," about the Mellette family. The book is the book club selection for May and is available at the Heritage Store at the Cultural Heritage Center and the Capitol. History and Heritage Book Club members receive a 10 percent discount and South Dakota State Historical Society members receive an additional 5 percent discount when they purchase the book at either Heritage Store.
• For more information about the History and Heritage Book Club, please call (605) 773-6006.
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