Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-12-05

He wound up by saying that he noticed
the same man in the crowd to-day and
would like to have him come forward
and to hear what he had to say for him
self, giving the name Of John Berry.
This announcement and droll introduc-
tion produced great merriment, as Mr..
Berry is about the best known and most
popular man connected with the railroad
and has long been in the employ OF the
construction company to spy out the
most feasible route, prior to prelimi-
nary survey, and afterwards to arrange
with the settlers for a right Of way
through their lands. Mr. Berry was
seized and rushed forward. be jumped
on to the fiat car hut made no speech,
owing to the manner i'm which he was
introduced, having apparently taken all
the wind out Of his sails. he merely
bowed his acknowledgement and retired
in good order amid the cheers Of the
multitude.
The driving Of the tin spike was next
in order. This work by vote of the
people devolved upon Mr.. Geo. Roland,
the fisrt settler of Buffalo Gap, who per-
formed the job with neatness and dis
patch. Some one made a motion that
the tin spike he given to Mr.. John
Berry as the representative OF the rail.
road company on the grounds, and as a
testimonial Of the high respect in which
he was held by the people of Buffalo
Gap. 1t was carried. and the spike was
presented to Mr.. Berry by Mr.. Reno in
"A neat speech in which he said Mr..
Berry had always done exactly what he
said he would, and had fulfilled every
promise he had ever made them. Mr..
Reno then introduced Mr.. j. II. King,
formerly Of Chamberlain, ID. r., but now
a resident Of Buffalo Gap, and the effici
ent agent of the railroad company in
the town lot department. Mr.. King
responded in neat forcible off hand
speech and closed amid much cheering.
1t was then moved that the mica mallet
be given TO Mr.. Geo. Boland Of Buffalo
Gap as fitting testimonial to that gen.
teman as being the Oldest settler and
leading man among the people il. all
negotiations with the railroad company.
This was carried with great applause
and the mica mallet was given 10 Mr..
Geo. Boland The writer was then in
vitcd to speak, giving history Of the
spike and mallet and brief description
Of the mines from which the mica and
tin were taken. This invitation We
declined on account Of the lateness Of
the hour, as it would trespass upon the
time appointed for the races, and sale
of lots. So the gathering was dismissed
amid much cheering and great good
humor.
The afternoon was taken up by the
'ale Of lots, the prices ranging high and
bidding lively, while back on the race
course a large crowd had gathered to
witness the races which were excellent.
some Of the best horses in the territory
being on the ground, among which were
Red Bird and Beverly's colt, owned ut
Rapid City, Little Doc from Custer, and
the Chadron mare, and Tooter. The
first was 200 yard race and was won by
the bald fac. pony with Little Doc
three feet behind. The next was
race of 400 yards, entered Little
Doc and Beverly's colt in which
little Doe was winner by a neck. The
third and last race was between Red
Bird. Tooter, Little Doc and the Chad
ron mare, distance 600 Yards, in which
Red Bird was an easy winner, with
Tooter second and the Chadron mare
third. This was an excellent race and
atoned somewhat for the vexatious de-
lays. So much time having been taken
up by the selling Of pools and jockcying
for the start that the people had their
patience put to a severe test.
This ended the celebration Of the ad-
vent Of the first railroad into the Black
Hills, and in this connection it is graft
flying to be able TO state that the order
was excellent. We saw no fighting or
quarrelling and there was any liquor
drank. it was done by those who were
used to it and knew how to behave uu-
der its influence.
Flour.
Sioux City Standard 3 Y -four, $4.OO