Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-06-13
PIONEER ExSpRs1eE,
The Largest Excursion Party Ever Got
ten up in The Hills Visits the
Pioneer City on Pio-
neer Day.
Two Thousand People Meet Upon The
Delightful and Historic Grounds
To Participate in.the Pleas
ure and Enjoyment In
cident to the Oc-
cas16n,

LHc kiOtlOus OH Vi JuHo looiJ tlic udg
set apart for the first annual excursion
of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers to
Custer City, has come and gone, leaving
nothing but pleasing memories upon the
minds of the vast multitude that partici-
pated in the unalloyed pleasures Incl
dent to the occasion. To say that this
first excursion Of the pioneers was
grand success would but imperfectly ex-
pres the marvellous measure Of burs
and unadulterated enjoyment that was
crowded in the few and fleeting hours
of its duration, to say that it was pre-
sminently the greatest, grandest and
most glorious excursion that has ever
occurred in the history of The Black
Hills, and the most elaborate free feast
ever spread in South Dakota. would be
TO express simple truth conceded by
all present.
The occasion was one in which the
Pioneer City felt deep and absorbing
interest, and for which the preparations
were ample and complete. Every
thing that the willing and united minds
of Custer could suggest for the comfort
and entertainment of her guests was
freely and most cheerfully provided, and
nothing but adverse weather could inter
verse to mar the enjoyment of her host
of visitors. The weather was simply
superb ii was one Of those delightful
days, peculiar to Custer, when the geni-
al rays of the sun are tempered to the
taste of the most fastidious when balmy
zephyrs, float lazily through the ambi
ent air. tanning the cheek, and impart-
ing purest ecstasy. The arrival Of the
north bound train at 8 :l5 a. IN. brought
delegation of 60 persons from Hot
Springs. accompanied by brass band.
Hundreds of our people who had as
sembled upon the depot platform gave
them hearty greeting, and after the
ladies had been escorted to carriages by
the reception committee, the delegation
fell into line and marched to the Klee
mann house to the music OF the I1ot
Spri gs and Custer bands. awaiting the
arrival of the special train from Dead
wood, which being delayed two hours
by being over crowded and partially de-
rallied on the way, did not reach here
with its 677 passengers until IL o'clock.
Upon it's arrival procession was form
ed, and the vast assemblage marched to
the grounds, where everything essential
to their comfort had been provided, and
Rev. j. V. Willis, of this city, in brief
and appropriate reception address, ex-
tended the visitors hearty welcome to
the Pioneer City, after which the bar
bacued OK, and the numerous accom-
paniments which were supplied in end
less profusion, were most amply and
agreeably discussed. Consequent upon
the unexpectedly large number OF guests
in attendance, the table room which
was believed to be ample to meet the
requirements of the occasi on, was
found to be inadequate, and that all
could not be served at the first table,
which necessitated the resettlng Of the
tables until all had been served
The menu presented on this occasion
called forth the highest encomiums from
all, and consisted in part ofthe following
edibles: Barbacued OK, roast chicken,
boiled ham, corned beef, baked potatoes,
boiled eggs, onions. radishes, lettuce,
white and brown bread, jelly and fruit
cake. pies, coffee, lemonade, strawber-
ries, Ice cream, bananas etc.
No less than 1000 people joined in the
feast, and it is but proper to state that
the half dozen lunch baskets brought
down from Deadwood under sad, mis-
apprehension of the situation, and
which were so copiously referred to in
the Deadwood Pioneers write up, were,
for the time forgotten in the presence of
the unfathomable display Of choice
yiands which greeted their anxious eyes.
After dinner came the Grafton by the
orator CT the day. Hon. w. F. Steel, Of
Deadwood. which, being able, eloquent
and appropriate, was received with well
merited applause. Other able speakers
were present, among whom Judge G. NJ
Thomas, of Deadwood, Rev. ]. w.
Hanchtr, Of Hot Springs, Gen. Dawson,
of Deadwood, and Prof @. L. Pinkham,
of Miller, South Dakota. followed
with interesting addresses in the order
named, and it is matter for regret that
a lack OF space precludes verbatim re-
port of their eloquent and interesting
remarks. An agreeable and pleasing
feature of the occasion was the music by
the brass bands, of which there were
four in attendance, the Terraville. Dead.
wood, Hot Springs and Custer. which
disc, ursed excellent music, which was
greatly enjoyed and duly appreciated
| A. intervals, as opportunity offered, the
dancing pavilion was utilized by those
who we're disposed to "move In the mis-
| ty maxes, and trip the hight fantastic,
among whom gallant Kentucky judge
was not the least conspicuous. Swing
provided for the occasion, were also EN-
joyed by many of the lady visitors
while their pioneer husbands wer
exchanging their interesting and sens
stional Black Hills experiences Of tn
early days Of 76.
Amer the last address had been made
which completed the regular program
for the day, the hour or two interver
ing before the departure of the retur
trains was devoted TO a famble throug
the grounds, adjoining mountains, Q
the city as fancy dictated, and q NOR
delighted multitude than they, hav
never upon any former occasion bee