Owners Of Notorious Schoolhouse Unhappy With Help

The owners of an old sandstone one-room schoolhouse in South Dakota that is named after one of the state's most notorious criminals say the building has attracted unwanted admirers.

The school is one of the final remnants of Crook City. It's known as the Sitts Schoolhouse because escaped convict George Sitts made the building his hideout before killing two lawmen.

Sitts was the only man executed by electric chair in South Dakota.

The owners of the schoolhouse, Michael and Donna Auer, tell the Rapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/XDwGL7) they want to repair the building, but don't want government organizations involved.

The Auers are upset that a member of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers who reportedly offered to help with repairs applied for a grant from the Deadwood Historic Preservation Committee.