Zay Jeffries

Zay Jeffries might be the most remarkable South Dakotan you’ve never heard of. In the early 1900s, he helped popularize a revolutionary metal composite. And Jeffries was part of an effort to dominate that industry. The work led to criminal charges that landed him in court 80 years ago today. Along the way, Jeffries’ fate intersected with two presidents – one gave him a medal, and the other gave him a pardon.