Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-05-19
Random Chatter.

in very large majority of cases, "hope
long deferred maketh the heart SICK"
that of recurring disappointments, in
given direction, rarely fail to seriously
weaken, if not entirely destroy CON
tidence; and that a continued repetition
Of reverses and misfortunes almost in
yariablv beget a feeling of despondency,
it is nevertheless fact, that there are
situations where the evidences of event
ua success are so clearly conclusive,
and so pre-eminently positive, as to rob
disappointment Of its sting, and utterly
break the blighting force and despond-
ing effect Of the gravest misfortunes.
That such a situation is pre-eminently
exemplifed in the case of Custer City,
no one familiar with the history Of the
place will deny. The degree of conf
dence manifested by the residents of
this place in the face of train of adj
verse circumstances and depressing
vicixitudes, such as rarely, if ever fell
to the lot of any community to bear, is
simply phenomenal. No other town IN
the northwest could have withstood the
enormous pressure which this town has
SO pers!stently and successfully con-
tended with during the twelve years Of
her checkered history. Other towns
less favorably located, have been aban-
doned and passed into silent oblivion
while confident Custer, picturesquely
located on the valley of French creek,
in the very Jap of natures leading tin
laboratory, laughs at adverse issues,
accepts disappointment with a smile,
and meets misfortunes direst frown with
characteristic courage, and becoming
grace. 1t was not fatal blow when in
1876 six thousand people, burdened with
the fear Of Indians, and greed for gold,
hurriedly quit the camp for Deadwood
and Cheyenne. A few resolute souls,
imbued with confidence, held the fort
and saved the town from total abandon
ment 1t was not fatal event, when
years after, sickly failure on the part Of
unskilled miners to probably reduce
the low grade gold ores in this locally
caused another exodus from the place
| as there were still those whose better
judgment bade them stay and await the
final verdict. 1t was not fatal episode
in our history when the Eta mill shut
down, after brief run, and led the
world to the erroneous belief that tin
| reduction in the southern Hills was a
failure; as the old reliables were not TO
be thus easily deceived and the result
was, their confidence remained unim.
paired, and their hope mistaken.
And now, while it is fact to be deep
ly regretted, that the consummation of
the great tin deal in England has been
delayed beyond all expectation, causing
demand upon the part of the Harncy
Peak company for a further extension
Of time upon the bonds held by them
upon the various. tin properties in this
vicinity, and the consequent delay Of
the final Inauguration of extensive tin
operations by that company, it can not
be truthfully said that the delay has
been attended with serious results in
this place, or that public confidence in
the final success of the tin industry has
been weakened in the slightest degree
The long expected jubilee is only delay
ed, its final advent is regarded AS un-
questionably certain, in the not distant
future, as the rising of the morning sun.
Failure. where every phase Of the situa-
ton is favorable, every indication bud
of promise, every sign significant of
success, and every rock a resource may
very reasonably be held to be fairly
forstalled, and the final realization of
the hopes so long deferred by combi-
nation Of unfortunate circumstances, can
not, we feel fully assured, be much longer
deferred. Let us preserve our conf
dence, stay with the old proposition that
the southern Hills are rich in resources.
and that Custer must, by reason of her
favorable location, eventually become
the chief mining metropolis; turn
deaf ear to chronic croakers look on
the bright side Of the Custer landscape
establish board of trade, and work
faithfully and energetically in the inter
est Of the advancement of the town, and
three:ply success will perch upon our
banners, and Custer will rise rapidly
and grandly to the highest pinnacle of
tin mounted gold-gilded fame.
Refractory gold ores are now attract
ing unusual attention in this place.
Many locations have been made during
the week in the vicinity Of Four Mile,
upon belt, the true character Of which
has heretofore been very imperfectly
understood. In the early history Of
this place many locations were made
upon this belt under the impression
that the ore was Of free milling char
acter. Mills were brought in, end put
in operation; but failure followed In
every instance. the mills were compelled
to shut down, and have remained idle
I'm m thia TINA ThoSa f,;l,.o, $1,000 -.