Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-12-05
DRIVING OF THE TIN SPIKE.
Our Visit to Buffalo Gap and an Ac.
count Of the Celebration.

The Advent Of the First Railroad Into
the Black Hills.
1t was announced in our last issue
that the editor of this paper had mount
ed the hurricane deck Of his cayuse and
had started for Buffalo Gap to witness
the celebration Of the advent Of the first
railroad into the Black Hills. This an
nouncement was perfectly correct, we
| were there. We left Custer on Friday.
the 9th, at noon, and arrived at Buffalo
Gap the same evening. We went via
| the new road down French creek and
turning off at The old stockade and pass
ing to the right over good grade, Ia
where it joins the old road. This will
make good road when completed, and
Is estimated to cut off two miles Of the
distance to the Gap The road for the
balance of the distance is now in fair
condition, and as aborers were still at
work upon it putting in bridges, grading
and picking out the rock, we are glad TO
be able TO state to our readers, and con
gratulate the people Of Custer and But.
falo Gap, upon the pleasing fact that we
will have Il good mountain road open
between these two points this winter.
AS We said we arrived ut the Gap in
good time for supper, which, having dis
patched, we sailed out to take in the
town, and although We were prepared
to see booming town, and a booming
town Was no new thing with us, still we
were surprised at every step with what
we heheld We were not prepared 70
see city with - stores and business
houses and all the appurtenances there
10 belonging. the sidewalks crowded
with people and the streets full Of teams
And when we state that all this had
been brought about in eight weeks. we
would scarcely expect to be believed by
people living east OF the Missouri river,
unless they had known us a long time
and were familiar with our reputatinn
for truth and veracity. But wonderful as
this may seem it is nevertheless true
We met on the street and in the differ.
cut business houses and at the hotels a
great many whom we knew, as it seem.
ed every section Of the west VAS repre-
senicc, and We were glad - shake hands
with manv we had not seen for wears
from Omaha, Denver, New Mexico, Salt
Lake and other sections from the west
From the Hills each town and camp
had ITS delegation, Custer being repre-
sented by about 80 people, and it was
noticeable on the grounds next day that
the Custer crowd presented far the most
civilized appearance, being largely com
posed of ladies'. While the rest Of the
visitors, with the exception Of the far
mers living in the vicinity. seem to have
lacked the necessary galiantry to bring
the fair ones along to witness the cele-
bration. AS We expected we found it
impossible 10 obtain a bed in the town
OH which TO recline our weary bones,
every bed being filed by two's and
three's and we were glad to accept the
invitation Of our friend. Mr.. Tom Quig.
ley, the newly appointed postmaster,
who kindly furnished us with couple
Of blankets rolled up in which we
stretched ourself on his counter and
slept he sleep of the righteous.
TIE CELEBRATION AND DRIVING OF THE
TIN SPIKE.
rose bright and clear and the people be-
gan early to gather at the new railroad
townsite, some to witness and many to
take part in the purchase Of lots, the
sale of which at auction being the first
performance on the programme for the
day. The bidding were spirited and lots
ran high, ranging from $500 to $l,755
each. The sale of lots were postponed
ut 10 o'clock, when the track layers
reached the town and everybody rushed
to witness the driving Of the tin spike,
which was the central point of in,cres.
and the crowning act Of the day The
opening speech was made by Judge A.
L. Sprague of 'uster county, who, stand
ing on the fat car, delivered an eloquent
ad Ire%s occupying about half an hour,
dwelling on theimportance and benefits
ola railroad into the Black Hills, the dis
advantages under which the people had
labored SO long and the consequent Joy
and er thusiasm with which they welcom.
the iron horse, he portrayed the natural
advantages and resources o! the country
and predicted its brilliant future. The
address was received with cheers and
was followed by short speech from Mr..
L. B. Reno, the original settler Of the
land, and from whom the townsite was
purchased by the railroad company.
Mr.. Reno delighted the crowd by a
short Renaissance describing the first
intimation they received that a rail-
road through their lands was thought Of
He said it was about three years ago
his neighbor, Mr.. Geo. Boland, came
to him and told him that he saw a man