Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-06-10

20
EDrroR CHRoNIcIR.-When / speak OF
the Central Hills, / mean that portion
comprising Big Rapid creek, Little
Rapid, Castle creek and their tributaries,
These creeks and Spring creek comprise
the principal drainage Of hat whole
Tdistrict laying between the head OF
Whitewood creek and Harney's range.
A large basin rich in minerals of all
kinds, and comprising some of the best
stock and agricultural ranches in the
Hills.
/ attended, June 9Th, what is known
among miners as Representative day.
in Lawrence district, on Castle creek
held at Sitting Bull, and I was very
much surprised to see the large attend
ance of old miners at that meeting, still
showing their faith in that famous old
gulch, ard will not be satisfied until it
y thoroughly tested and fully develop
ed. Old familiar faces Of miners who
have stuck to their claims since rs, fully
satisfied that it was only a matter Of
time until capital would come in, take
hold and develop the gulch and they
would then be repaid for all their
patience and hardsbips. Numbers Of
these men have lived there all these
years making their living by working
the bars, and are fully az confident to-
day of the final result as they were
when they first settled in the gulch.
Some of the bars on these creeks have
paid good wages, and thousands of dol
lars have been taken out every year by
these hardy miners, always feeling good
natured and happy, waiting, as they ex-
press it, for the good time coming" and
they seem now about to realize their
brightest hopes.
Two years ago a company called the
Sitting Bull Placer Mining company was
organized for the purpose of getting the
title to all the claims under one control.
and, SO holding them i'm trust for the
miners until such time as a contract
could be made with capital for the
development of the creek. Such con-
tract was finally consummated this
spring with a company organized under
the laws of New York, called the Penn
ington Mining company, and all the con-
ditions and premliminaries were com .
pleted at this spring meeting of the
miners; and this company will immedia-
tety commence work on the guich by
fluming the creek and running a drain
ditch, each of which will require to be
nearly a mile in length. The company
have already sufficient funds on deposit
to make it a success, and a thoroughly
wide awake business man in Mr.. Myron
Whsle, of Rapid City, as superintendent,
who will push matters to completion
without any unnecessary delay.
In addition to this company on Castle
creek. the Estrella Del Norte company
i believe that is the name) are putting
in a flunie commencing on Castle creek
ut Sitting Bull, and intend carrying the
water of that creek over the bars
on Big Rapid as far down as Pactola. a
distance of 10 miles. / do not know the
financial condition of this company, but
| do know that if they win back up
their wide awake superintendent, Bart
Henderson, with the necessary funds.
he will make it a success if there is any
possibility of it. Also, the old
on Little Rapid are again at work with
improved niao'iiiiaTy, and iii connection
with the other two and Violin tunnel
company will create a "Boom" in that
part of the Hills, such as has not been
since ".
The quartz mines Of that district are
not SO well developed as in other parts
of the Hills, but there are some very
promising one The Fairview, near
Sitting Bull, will compare mvorablv
with any in the Hills. The silver mines
along Big Rapid are showing up ~favora-
bly,. But placer mining is the attraction
in the district, and there will be a large
amount of work done in that branch Of
mining there this season, A large nun.
Der 'of your readers have interests in
that district and l presume will be
pleased to know of its favorable pros
poets. Respectfully
X. Y. X.
s. Nauu Tnfnl E7sv,n