Eric Renshaw, For the Argus Leader

The 806 Club opened on December 11, 1943 at 806 E. 10th. The club was located in a space formerly used as a boy’s dormitory for a NYA War Production Training School, a vocational school that taught youths the trades needed for operating the machinery needed for war production. H. B. Kieffer was the manager of this new hot spot, and he promised dancing seven nights a week, live music and good food.

There were plenty of clubs opening in Sioux Falls at the time; the Army Air base brought an influx of hundreds of people to the city who all needed places to live, dance, eat and blow off steam.

At around 3:30 a.m. on July 15, 1945, an incident occurred at the 806 Club that caused a bit of a stir. Major Clarence C. Parks, Administrative Inspector of the Army airfield, was at the club, talking to the manager. He claimed a “youthful, dark-complexioned man dressed in sports clothes, whom the others called "Sammy," struck a girl in the face. The woman slumped to the ground, unconscious.

The woman, Madeline Stephens, had worked as a bartender at the 806 two months prior, but was no longer employed there. She was enjoying a night out with Lieutennant G. L. Brill. Parks asked Kieffer if he was going to do anything about it.

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Kieffer had seen Sammy rush to her side, remorseful for his harsh action. Parks said loudly that if Kieffer wasn’t going to do anything about it, he would. Kieffer, not wanting any trouble in his club, rushed Sammy out. Sammy, later identified as Sam R. “Sammy” Mangiaforte, returned with a .38 caliber revolver and shouted, “Get back in there, all of you” and fired a shot in the club. The projectile hit the bar about eight inches from the floor. Sammy then demanded that everyone get back in the club as he and Parks would finish their business outside. According to Parks, once they were out in the parking lot, Mangiaforte demanded he “get over against the wall”. Another shot was fired as Kieffer and Brill rushed to disarm Sammy. Parks had removed his jacket and was rolling up his sleeves as Sammy ripped off his shirt. It was at this point that patrolmen arrived, but they went away after being told that everything was over.

Parks was a bit rattled, having seen combat in Africa and Europe during the war. He was taken to a friend’s house and given breakfast. He showed up at the police station at about 5 a.m., asking if they’d gotten the shooter. When officers there explained they didn’t know there was a shooter, Parks filed charges against Sammy, leaving his statement.

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Mangiaforte was arrested on July 17 after police gathered statements from witnesses. Madeline Stephens was interviewed in the paper and wasn’t sure exactly what Sammy was upset about, but suspected he’d been angered at some point when she bartended at the 806. She figured she’d hurt his pride somehow, and did not press charges for the assault. She said that after Sammy hit her she didn’t really recall anything. She’d passed out until the gun was fired, waking her up.

The trial was set for September 25, 1945. Major Parks was served a subpoena in San Francisco, where he was stationed later. Though he’d communicated with State’s Attorney John McDowell and knew he had to be there, he said he wasn’t sure if he’d be released from duty in order to testify. When the 25th arrived, Parks was not present. The trial was rescheduled for January. Parks failed to show up for that one as well. By June of 1946 the case was thrown out as the chief witness could apparently not be bothered to testify.

The 806 club continued beyond this scandal, but was involved in several others. Gambling machines were repeatedly confiscated from the club, sometimes legally. Because of this trouble, there were difficulties in renewing the club’s liquor license. In an effort to improve the establishment’s reputation, on April 24, 1946, it was reopened as The DAV Club, a place for veterans to enjoy themselves. The space reopened as the 806 Club in 1949. Kieffer had moved on and was selling planes by then. Eventually, the club had gambling machines again, and with them, trouble. It closed a short while later unable to keep a liquor license.

Eric Renshaw of Sioux Falls has written the book "Forgotten Sioux Falls" and gives a historical perspective on his website GreetingsFromSiouxFalls.com.