The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1890-04-25
Piedmont.


excite little comment, but the speculat-
or has to keep his eyes open or he will
be caught mapping. Already several
new names have appeared on the reser-
walton. Many more must follow the
line OF the B. d NJ. in the Hills and other
lines that must soon reach here from
the east, but the latest and that within
hailing distance, is Piedmont, at the
junction Of the F. Z. & M. V. and Home
stake roads, on the ranch OF Capt. G. V.
Gardner Spring Valley ranch has long
been we'll known point on the old
Deadwood freight trail. It is one Of the
chain OF valleys situated between the
foothills and the hills proper. The head
really OF the Elk creek valley, as but a
few rods north east Little Elk and Elk
creek proper join forces in their march
to the Cheyenne, forty-fve miles to the
eastward. In very early day Fred
Evans, that pioneer OF the Hills, pro-
nounced this spot the proper location
for some future city, he being largely in
the freight business, itsnumerous springs
were no doubt the main attractions, but
in proof OF his faith he with Adler,
Jacobs and Garvey located here in 1876.
The company did not prove congenial
and after short time Evans and Jacobs
withdrew leaving the field to Adler and
Garvey. Even this reduction left too
large party and during the summer OF
TT Adler killed his partner, Garvey.
Adler was finally cleared. During the
occupancy by Adler the place had a
hard name, saloon being in full blast
much OF the time. At one time it was
the reputcd headquarters ofroad agents.
In 1888 the place, which consisted OF
800 acres and a tree claim, was pur-
chased OF Adler by Capt. c. V. Gardner
for $4,000 and back taxes, which
amounted to $500 more. Since Mr..
Gardner obtained possession the COM
plexion OF things has greatly changed.
The first sermon preached in this section
OF the country was deliveLed at the
Spring Valley ranch in 1883 by Mr..
Sharia, and a Sunday school organized
in August OF the same year with Capt.
Gardner as superintendent. From time
to time since his first purchase Mr.. Gard
ner has added to his possessions until
he owned in the neighbornood OF / 900
acres. His idea has been from the first,
that he had secured the sight OF the fu-
ture great city OF the Hills and he has
never lost sight OF this point, and like
all labors to one persistant end, it has
borne fruit. At recent date Capt.
C. V. Gardner has laid the foundation
for the accomplishment OF the desire OF
his heart, in the sale OF $40 acres as
follows: Forty acres direct to the COM
panies for railroad grounds and 800
acres to the townsite company in which
the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Val
! ley railroad own one third the Black
Hills & Fort Pierre railroad (extensior
of the Homestake R. r. one third ant
one third is retained by Mr.. Gardner
|Thls Makes a strong syndicate and it il
backed by fine location. The srount
is rolling, well watered by springs and {
| further supply can be secured by tap
ping Little Elk about two miles abov'
which would insure pressure of2OOfeet
At the foot OF the hills in the southwes
and northwest quarters OF the site, lars
parks have been laid out and between
now and May 1st, at least one OF then
will be dotted with trees, and by thu
way this beautifying process will not bt
overlooked, Capt. Gardner has 2j,OOt
shade and ornamental trees and every
purchaser OF a lot will be furnished
gratis, all he desires. The grounds
have been laid out and the plat is now
east for filing i'll the companies office
Already there has been many calls TO
lots but no sales will be made until th
public sale OF May LIST, thus giving all al
equal chance. Arbor day, May 1st, il
to be big day for old Spring valley
Invita- tions have been extended far ant
wide and many prominent men are ex
pected, among the number being Govern
or Mellette and II. J.. Loucks from eas
OF the river. Music will be discourset
by the Post band and general picni
enjoyed. If back ground were neede'
to set off to advantage this new city, i
!, is found in the high hills to the west
ward, whose rocky sides are veiled wit
the dark green OF the pines. Nestle
here. under the shadows OF the Blac
Hills, what name more appropriat
could have been chosen than Pledmon1
It is accumulation OF two Latin word
Whose literal meaning is ''The foot of tn
mountain"
D The Tax Law