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<HEAD><TITLE>BHC Form 8-K Evans Officer</TITLE></HEAD>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></H1>


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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM 8-K </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934   </FONT></H1>
<BR>
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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) October 7, 2004 </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>South Dakota<BR>(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation) </FONT></H1>

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     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"><B>             001-31303 </B>                     <BR>
     <B> (Commission File Number)</B>              <BR>
<BR>
   <B>625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 </B>           <BR>
       <B>Rapid City, South Dakota </B>            <BR>
   <B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B>
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     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">             <B> 46-0458824</B><BR>
   <B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B><BR>
<BR>
              <B>57709-1400</B><BR>
               <B>(Zip Code)</B>
</FONT></TD></TR>
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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>605.721.1700<BR>(Registrant&#146;s
telephone number, including area code) </FONT></H1>


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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Not Applicable<BR>
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </FONT></H1>


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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<I>see</I>
General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>Item 1.01</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement</B>  </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>The Registrant has entered into an
indemnification agreement in conjunction with the October 7, 2004 appointment of Linden R.
Evans to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer &#150; Retail Business
Segment. A description of this agreement has been provided below in Item 5.02
&#147;Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
Principal Officers&#148; of this Form 8-K. </FONT></P>
<BR>

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<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>Item 5.02</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Departure
of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal
Officers</B>  </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On October 7, 2004, Linden R. Evans,
age 42, was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer &#150; Retail Business
Segment. The position of President and Chief Operating Officer &#150; Retail Business
Segment has been vacant since the promotion of David R. Emery to President and Chief
Executive Officer in January 2004. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Mr. Evans
had been serving as the Vice President and General Manager of Black Hills
          FiberCom, the Registrant&#146;s communication subsidiary, since December 2003
          and served as Associate Counsel for the Registrant from May 2001 to December
          2003. Prior to joining the Registrant, Mr. Evans was an attorney and member
with           the Rapid City, South Dakota law firm of Truhe, Beardsley, Jensen, Helmers
&amp;          VonWald from February 1997 to May 2001, an associate with the Rapid City,
South           Dakota Marvin D. Truhe Law Office, from April 1995 to February 1997, and
an           associate with the law firm of Jackson and Kelly, Charlston, West Virginia
from           December 1992 to April 1995. He holds a J.D. from the Northwestern School
of           Law, Lewis &amp; Clark College, Portland Oregon, and a B.S. Degree in Mining
          Engineering from the University of Missouri.  </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>In conjunction with Mr. Evans&#146;
appointment, Mr. Evans and the Registrant have entered into an Indemnification Agreement
(form of Indemnification Agreement has previously been filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the
Registrant&#146;s Form 8-K dated August 30, 2004) as have previously been provided to
other executive officers of the Registrant. The Indemnification Agreement provides
indemnity to the officer against liabilities incurred in the performance of his duties to
the extent allowed by South Dakota corporation law and the Registrant&#146;s Bylaws. </FONT></P>


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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>SIGNATURES</U> </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>


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<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION </FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
By: <U> /s/ Mark T. Thies</U><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark T. Thies<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive Vice President<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and Chief Financial Officer </FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date: October 7, 2004 </FONT></P>


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BHC Form 8-K Evans Officer
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM 8-K
_________________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) October 7, 2004
_________________
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)
_________________
South Dakota
(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-31303
(Commission File Number)
625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Address of principal executive offices)
46-0458824
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
57709-1400
(Zip Code)
605.721.1700
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_________________
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01
Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement
The Registrant has entered into an
indemnification agreement in conjunction with the October 7, 2004 appointment of Linden R.
Evans to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer – Retail Business
Segment. A description of this agreement has been provided below in Item 5.02
"Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of
Principal Officers" of this Form 8-K.
Item 5.02
Departure
of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal
Officers
On October 7, 2004, Linden R. Evans,
age 42, was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer – Retail Business
Segment. The position of President and Chief Operating Officer – Retail Business
Segment has been vacant since the promotion of David R. Emery to President and Chief
Executive Officer in January 2004.
Mr. Evans
had been serving as the Vice President and General Manager of Black Hills
          FiberCom, the Registrant's communication subsidiary, since December 2003
          and served as Associate Counsel for the Registrant from May 2001 to December
          2003. Prior to joining the Registrant, Mr. Evans was an attorney and member
with           the Rapid City, South Dakota law firm of Truhe, Beardsley, Jensen, Helmers
&          VonWald from February 1997 to May 2001, an associate with the Rapid City,
South           Dakota Marvin D. Truhe Law Office, from April 1995 to February 1997, and
an           associate with the law firm of Jackson and Kelly, Charlston, West Virginia
from           December 1992 to April 1995. He holds a J.D. from the Northwestern School
of           Law, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Oregon, and a B.S. Degree in Mining
          Engineering from the University of Missouri.
In conjunction with Mr. Evans'
appointment, Mr. Evans and the Registrant have entered into an Indemnification Agreement
(form of Indemnification Agreement has previously been filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the
Registrant's Form 8-K dated August 30, 2004) as have previously been provided to
other executive officers of the Registrant. The Indemnification Agreement provides
indemnity to the officer against liabilities incurred in the performance of his duties to
the extent allowed by South Dakota corporation law and the Registrant's Bylaws.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Mark T. Thies
Mark T. Thies
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 7, 2004
3