Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-06-27
TWO NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS.

TWo NECESSARY iMRROVEMENTS.
There are two improvements needed
badly in this; city, that would go to-
wards giving Sturgis.a more metropoli-
tan appearance than any others that can
be mentioned; and they are a street rail-
way and electric 1ightsi.
|. A.street railway ,from'our depot to the
post would be:of inestimable benefit not
only to the people of this city and the
post, but also to visitors and strangers
who, on their way through the Hills on
a tour of investigation and pleasure, de-
sire to visit the celebrated Fort Meade.
AS it is now the transportation be-
tween us and the fort is sconfned to an
occasional hack, used by. the citizens, and
very dilapidated ambulance, owned by
the. city, and, locally. known ;'as sthe'
BLACK Maria, .consecrated to the use of
the Officers and their families. The ser
vieo"is most unsatisfactory. and con-
dutive of bad temper and a vast amount
Of, profanity. Trade; which our mer-
chants. could easily get now" patronize
the store of the post trader, and scores
Of people who would visit the post under
ordinary circumstances are compelled by
sheer force to forego the pleasure. Hun
dreds of the soldiers visit the town in
week, and: are compelled to walk i'll wet
as'wefl as dry weather: Hundreds more
would come'up weeklytif transportation
that could be depended upon was pass
ing regularly between the two points,.
There are no difficulties in the way. to
surmo1nt. The right of way would be-
easily obtained from the war department
if proper steps were taken in the matter.
The grade ofthe street is easy and no'ob-
stacles he in the path Of construction!
Capital can readily be interested in the:
enterprise if good, reliable projectors
will step to the front and set the ball
rolling. Let them step out, ask the city
council for the franchise and see how
quickly. they will get it Fand how iiber-
ally they will be- treated. Before long.
the ADVERTISER hopes So announce the
formation of such a corporation. =
Sturgis is the poorest lighted city inI
the Black Hills today There is no.
earthly reason why it,~should be SO.
There is not public street lamp in the
whole town, and but very few private
lights. 1t is shame that such is the
case, but nevertheless it is an incontro-
vertible fact. In our case what is best
to be done? Surely not to go. back to
the dark ages and adopt the old-fash-
toned, always smoking, never-te-be-re-
lied-upon kerosene lamp with its post
accompaniment? We cannot erect gas
plant. Coke is too far distant The
only thing possible is to establish an
electric light plant on scale to meet
the requirements of our city and no
more. The original cost is the only
item needing consideration, We have a
live set. OF business men who will-or at
least the majority of them subscribe
and use the light in, their places of bust
ness. The city'couneil .'without doubt
would use necessary number. Of lamps
to adequately light the business streets.
Power to run the dynamos is already
here and arrangements could be easily
perfected with the owners thereof. There
is absolutely no excuse for our miserably
dark streets, and. the matter should be
taken up immediately, Thieves and
foot pads could pursue their nefariens
work upon our main business streets
witaal no. fear .of detection, after the
shades Of evening fall. If. the matter
was taken in hand by those competent
financially to carry it to the end there
could be no doubt of its eventual sue
cess. Let our. monied men carefully
consider the matter, and if they will de-
eide. to commence the work the city
council will be. only too happy to co
operate with them. Tits not very often
the ApvEEgIsER, finds fault, but in this
instance we think we are amply justified.
POINTERS TO THE PAps.