Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-05-31
CUSTER TRIUMPHANT.
The Pioneer City of the Black Hills
Entering Upon an Era Of Ex-
ceptional Progress.
FUTURE PROSPERITY ASSURED.
unmistakable Indications Point TO Results
Which win Place Her at the Head Of the
List of Black Hills Cities as o Business
Centre and Mining Emporium.

|
Centre and Mining Emporium.
Custer City, the oldest of all the Black
Hills towns, has had an experience
differing entirely with that of any other
town in the region. No other place has
experienced the vicissitudes and re-
verses which have fallen to her lot.
Born in boom, her population was
swelled, at period when her resources
were comparatively unknown, and her
TetIs.,onments bowling wilderness, TO
seven thousand souls. Early in the
year 1876, before the innitial step had
been taken toward the development of
her resources, the discovery of rich
placers in the northern Hills resulted in
an exodus, so sweeping in its character
as to leave her, in the brief space of
three weeks, with population Of less
than twenty souls.
From that time on, through years Of
trial and encouragement it was bitter
struggle for existence. Cut off from all
lines of travel. ostracised by every other
town in the Hills, her situation was in
deed pitiable. Years of consequent
gloom and dependency followed. The
few resolute souls remaining, fixed in
their faith, confident in the future
triumph of the place, when her stu
pendous mineral resources and super
lative advantages became known to the
world, struggled on through many
weary waiting years with degree of
patience and abiding faith which was
fairly phenomenal. A slow but gradual
increase of population followed the year
1878, up to the discovery of tin in 1883,
from which time the advancement Of
the city and the surrounding country
was more marked. The development of
our tin deposits, and the placing Of the
product upon the market, being an en-
tirely new industry in this country has
necessarily been tedious in its opera
tion, while at the same time this city
has received much benefit from the
large capital invested in the purchase of
claims, and the large amount expended
in their development. The situation
has radically changed the dark cloud,
which for years hung like a mighty
incubus over the city, and buried it
beneath an impenetrable shadow of
gloom, has rolled away, and left the
shining armament of her prosperity as
bright as the MONDAY sun. The trans
formation is now complete.
The steel bands. which are so soon to
place her in connection with the outer
world, are already being laid, and long
before the close Of the present eventful
year the Burlington & Missouri Railroad
company will have completed line of
road to this city.
The paramount advantages Of railroad
connection to this city can scarcely be
estimated. Already, in advance of its
completion, is its powerful influence
being felt, as it is now understood and
known that it has formed an alliance
with the great corporation, the Harney
Peak Consolidated Tin Company,
through which company's property the
road will pass for a distance Of about
twenty miles. The vast amount of capi-
tai controlled by these two corporations,
and the amount Of their expenditure
cannot fail to stimulate, in a marked
degree, all commercial pursuits carried
on in this city, and points tributary
thereto.
Alive to the grand possibilities Of the
future, these far seeing capitalists are
here investigating and investing in ex-
tensive tracts of land bordering upon
the town; valuable mining properties
are being bonded and purchased; city
property is being anxiously sought, and
an era of business activity, such as has
rarely been experienced, even in the
progressive west, is evidently upon the
eve If Inauguration. Doubt and de-
spondency have given place to firm
hope and unwavering confidence. Nor
is this sudden awakening from prolong-
ed inertia to unusual activity matter
for wonder or surprise, based as it is
upon mineral resources of the most ex.
tensive and valuable character. highly
productive soil, the purest of water, an
exceptionally delightful climate and
natural scenery of such surprising beau
ty and superlatiye grandeur as to
challenge the admiration of all. Palpa-
BILE indications of the early Inauguration
of stupendous mining enterprises in this
vicinity, involving the investment of q
vast amount of capital, point to results
of the greatest moment to this city. The
universal verdict passed upon the ex-
tent and quality of our varied mineral
resources by all who have taken the
pains to investigate them, Is safe basis
upon which TO predict the successful
issue Of mining operations already in
augurated, and under contemplation.
| Yes, the situation has materially
changed, and now, after nearly fifteen
years Of vicissitude, marked by q sue
cession of adverse circumstances rarely
encountered in the experience Of any
town, Custer City has at last become
permanently established as an acknowl-
edged future mining and business center.
The vast deposits of mineral of various
characters, and especially that Of tin,
which is now known TO exist in paying
quantity in this immediate locality, has
given her prestige at home and abroad
which must result In the material ad-
vancement fher commercial prosperity.
There Is no longer doubt entertained
Of her future advancement q feeling Of
perfect confidence pervades her people;
1t is everywhere manifest, and full and
settled belief that the present year will
develop an era Of wonderful prosperity
universally prevails. However difficult
II may have been In the past to deter
mine tho measure ofCuster's future pro-