Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-24
Locals Caught on the Fly.


perambulating through the valleys along
the eastern border Of the county, capt
ured string OF local items, from which
we condense the following:
At Lame Johny, the country is being
rapidly settled up, and indications of in
creasing prosperity are notable OH every
hand. The almost phenomenal degree
Of success attained in the pursuit of
agriculture the present year, has been
highly encouraging to the farmers, who
are now more fully convinced than ever
that they made no mistake in locating
upon the fertile valleys of Lame Johny.
Among others who have recently settled
in that section, we note Mr.. KYLE and
son, formerly of Sioux Falls, who will
engage extensively in agriculture and
stock growing. Mr.. KYLE viii give
special attention to sheep raising, an
industry with which he is thoroughly
acquainted. In addition to other stock
he now has 600 head of sheep upon his
ranch, which are doing exceedingly
well under his careful and competent
management Mr. X will also engage
in cattle raising next year. starting with
100 head, which he will drive in from
eastern Dakota in the spring. Mr.. A.
! II. Herbert is also late settler who
will engage extensively in agriculture.
Mr.. III. comes from eastern Dakota, and
is very favorably impressed with the
advantages of his present location in an
agricultural point of view.
The attention Of numerous farmers
| between Martins Valley and Spring
creek, has, during the past season, been
directed to the culture Of sorghum cane,
| for which the soil in the section indi-
Gated is said to be admirably adapted.
The variety Of cane here grown is the
early amber" remarkable for the clear
ness, and palatable quality Of its syrup
product. The yield has thus far been
highly satisfactory to producers, and the
product is regarded as being profitable,
basing the price of syrup at the low fig
ure of so cents per gallon. This industry
will receive greater attention next year,
the acreage will be largely increased,
better facilities for the manufacture Of
syrup will be secured, and at least, the
home market may be expected to be
amply supplied.
Farmers visited on French creek in
the vicinity Of Fairburn are ENJOYING a
fair degree of prosperity, and express
much confidence i'm the future advance.
ment of that locality. At the ranch Of
A. +. Bowers, water melons in great
profusion, and Of excellent quality were
| found. upon which the itinerant CHkoN-
ICLE rustler was regaled to his hearts
| content
At lower Battle Valley where the
rustler rested over Sunday with the
| family Of j. &. Bower, the members of
which comprise the celebrated Bower
| Family Band, the air was rife with their
jubilant strains. induced by the election
of Harrison. This valley seemed es-
pecially inviting, and that its superior
advantages are duly appreciated is ev-
denced by the great number Of settlers
who have wisely selected it for their
future home. The cheese factory Of
Steele & Bower Bros. here located,
which is at present imperative, will
resume operations in the spring having
done a profitable business during the
past season. The cheese produced, for
which ready market is found in the
Hills, is of excellent quality, the utmost
care being observed in every arrange
ment favorable to its absolute purity.
The factory will doubtless be run to the
full limit of its capacity next year, in
order to supply the increased demand
for this very desirable if not indispens-
ible commodity. Mr.. Steele, the senior
member Of this firm, is also very ex-
tensvely engaged in farming and stock
raising, with probably better facilities
for the care of stock than can be found
elsewhere In the county, every arrange
ment which could be suggested for con-
venience, comfort and benefit. is here
found. The system adopted for supply
ing his residence, cheese factory and
stock yards with water is most con-
vehient and complete. The water is
conducted from spring near by, by
means of a two-inch iron pipe, laid
sufficiently deep in the ground to pre-
vent the freezing Of the water, and lead
ing to the various points where it is
required. At the stock yards number
Of troughs have been placed into which
the water is discharged for the purpose
Of supplying the stock, from which the
water is discharged through hole near
the top into another trough, and so on
until the last one has been filed, from
which the water flows away in ditch
constructed for the purpose, thus effectu.
ally preventing the collection of mud
and muck which is usually found in
places Of this kind.
At Spring creek, one cannot escape a
feeling of admiration and surprise at the
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