Mayoral Quip
Fred E. Stearns came to Rapid City in 1881.  He was in partnership with M. M. Patterson with the banking firm of Lake, Halley and Patterson.  The village of Rapid City was incorporated as a city under a special charter granted by the Legislature in February 1883.  On the first Tuesday in April of that year, Stearns became the mayor of Rapid City.  Stearns was a member of the Black Hills Stock Association and played a leading role in the development of the industry.  He and his wife, Mary, lived at the corner of Kansas City and Seventh Streets.  They sold their home to John Brennan in 1884. 

Biography
Fred E. Stearns located a ranch at the mouth of Spring Creek and delivered beef to the Army post at Fort Meade in 1880. 

He married Mary E. Cotton in Marietta, Ohio, on January 6, 1881.  They came to Rapid City soon after and made their home at the corner of Kansas City and Seventh Streets. 

He was in partnership with M. M. Patterson with the banking firm of Lake, Halley and Patterson in 1881.  On October 7, 1881, his wife passed away at age 27.

The village of Rapid City was incorporated as a city under a special charter granted by the Legislature in February 1883.  On the first Tuesday in April of that year, Stearns became mayor of Rapid City.