Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-03-29
The Prosperous Hills.

Francis Z. Cradle, of Omaha, who
will be remembered by our citizens as
the gentleman who short time ago
visited this place, and purchased large
amount of real estate, interviewed upon
his return by Bee reporter, said:
There has been no time since the
has been Is seRe 81 as S tass business e;s
being two reasons for the activity.
First, the possibility of the B. & NJ
extension to Deadwood second, the
development of the tin ore discoveries
made several years ago.
The territory in which this valuable
mineral has been so far found in paying
quantities is confined to the Harney
Peak ridge in the vicinity Of Custer City
and Hill City.
Near both Of these towns substantial
works are established and now being
operated. The largest are at Hill City,
where the Harney Peak company is at
work with capital Of Sl5,000,000, the
corporation being composed principally
of English capitalists. 1t employs l25
men and the business is in its infancy.
The company paid from $4,000 to S70,-
600 for mining claims of twenty acres
each and these consolidated gives them
control OF large acreage of mineral
lands.
Hill City has veritable boom. Last
June it was composed of three log
houses; now it has about 200 buildings
and business lots twenty-five feet front
are scarce at from $3.50 to 81, 900.
Custer City enjoys the distinction OF a
natural location, which for beauty is
second to none in the Hills. 1t lies in
picturesque little valley sheltered on
either side by gradually ascending tim
bered peaks from which the view is
indsecribable.
Deadwood, the quiet city of year
ago, is now one of the most buoyant
places in the west. A travelling sales
man of an Omaha wholesale house is
the fortunate owner Of a residence lot
in that place. He received 81 500 for
thirty day option on the lot at $4,000.
The time expiring he declined to re-
new the option on the same terms.
There is a great fortune for the owners
of the coal mines near Newcastle. No
one can form an idea Of the immensity
of the coal deposits there without see-
ing it. 1t is estimated that Ii will last
one hundred years at the rate it Is now
being taken out. 1t now yields 10000
tons to the acre. The output is now
twenty cars day, which will be in
creased to fifty ton.
The excavation into the mines Is in
the side hill about one hundred and
fifty feet above the railroad bed. From
that elevation the coal is dumped into n
chute, down which It descends, separat-
ing into four grades on the way and
loading four cars at once at the bottom.
The machinery in these mines is all Of
the most expensive aud with the latest
| improvements.
The Hot Springs OF the Black Hills
may become as famous af those Of Ar
kansas. The water from these springs
bursts from the hills at a natural tenn
perature of ninety-six degrees. II is
said to possess mineral properties that
cure many diseases. There were over
two thousand visitors to this place last
season, the hotel accommodations being
far below the demand. A new hotel
That will accommodate three hundred
guests is now building. A four story
sanatarium is about finished. The
Methodist college is up to the third
story, while the soldiers home, to cost
0,000, will be ready for occupancy in
the spring. All these buildings are Of
stone, which is obtained in an unlimited
supply near the town. Bishop Vincent
dedicated grounds adjoining this place
for a Chautauqea assembly, which are
sure to grow into great favor because of
their many attractions.
Mr.. Cradle brought home with him
many fine mineral specimens and
photographs of interesting scenery.