Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-11-09
Clusters Railroad Prospects.

CHRONICLE readers will doubtless re-
call number of articles upon this all
important theme that have previously
appeared in these columns and they
will, no doubt, remember that in our
forecast of the measure of Clusters future
progress, statements were made, which
at that time, appeared somewhat ex-
travagant. and not fully warranted by
the situation as viewed from a reason
able standpoint.
1t is to us most gratifying at this
auspicious juncture In our checkered
history, to reiterate our former state
ments after time has served to measur-
ably dispel the veil of uncertainty which
then gave rise to doubt and disbelief in
the mind Of the average reader as to the
probable realization of our ardent hopes
in the direction indicated. When i'm an
issue of this paper, as far back as 1886,
the writer claimed that at some time in
the future, when railroad routes through
the Black Hills proper should be de-
termined. that Custer would be found to
occupy more favorable position for a
railroad center than any other point.
even the average Custer reader smiled
increduously, while divining Deadwood
and rural Rapid fairly turned up their
noses with unfathomable disgust.
Now then, I'VE do not claim priority
of title to this monosylabic bracel let US
look squarely at the situation as it now
appears, and see if we cannot, with a
fair degree Of consistency, indulge the
fond hope Of speedily realizing our
former predictions. The b. & NJ. has
already determined that Custer, so long
in the background, under the ban,
ostracized and comparatively shut out
from the charmed circle of commercial
intercourse with the world, has outlived
her obscurity, and advanced to a posi-
ton upon the scale of business import
ance that makes her very desirable
point on her system of Black Hills
routes. and that the pioneer, the pictur-
esque, the pre-eminently beautiful and
prospective Tin City of America, claim
ed at one time by the masses residing
beyond her limits to have reached the
last station on the gloomy road to
oblivion, and to have passed, on her
backward course, the pale Of human
hope, has now, mirabile dictu reached
a point in her vicissitudinous career
where she may dismiss all fear of fail
ure in reaching the goal of her lofty
ambition.
Taking it for granted that the b. < NJ.
will build into this city from the south,
which is now an undisputed proposition,
let us turn our attention in another diyec-
ton and see if there are any reasonable
grounds upon which to base hope of
Custer securing branch of the North.
western. Now, it is we'll known fact
that this company have recently ac-
quired valuable coal lands upon the
great belt in eastern Wyoming, near
New Castle, and it would seem a safe
presumption that the company would at
no distant day, connect thoac coal lands
with their railway system. Now while
We do not claim to know anything what,
ever concerning the intentions of the
company, as to what route they may
| catnnf xrhsah 80 Asx.ll
Meeting branch. we think wesmay safely
say that it is fairly certain that the
nearest and most practicable route will
be decided upon, which would, we feel
fully assured, lead through this place.
This conclusion il based entirely upon
the presumption that the Northwestern
will be guided by common railroad
sense. and an ordinary degree of judg-
ment, and not from any knowledge on
our part of what their intentions may
be. Concedingithat Custer will get this
branch, which we do, most cordially, let
us pass on and see what further railroad
favors the future may have in store for
as. The b. & M. with a line through
the Hills. from Cui'ter. TO Lead City and
Deadwood, will play sad havoc with the
Northwestern's carrying trade, and
virtually cut her off from the bulk of the
Black Hills traffic which she now con-
trolls. 1t is to be reasonably expected
that a great corporation, such as the
Northwestern is known to be, will
quietly submit TO being driven out of a
field of snch rare railroad promise
Certainly not; it will upquestionably
protect its interests by constructing
branch through the Hills, and in the
probable event of such branch being
built, 1t goes without saying that it will
be built from Custer. Now, with the
completion ofthese line. and the potent
finger Of destiny is most empbatically
pointing that way, Custer will be placed
in direct connection with two of the
great trunk lines Of the country, in ad-
dition to her two northern branches,
and New Castle branch, which will
fairly entitle her to the august appella-
tion Of the railroad emporium Of the
4 A.