Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-09-19
A Visit to Wind Cave.

The Hills correspondent Of the Sioux
City Journal, in a recent letter to that
paper, describes in very pleasing style,
trip to Wind Cave, twenty miles from
Custer. The following is an extract.
Wind cave, or the cave of the wind as
il is appropriately called, is one of the
greatest natural curiosities in the north
west. The atmosphere throughout its
twenty miles Of labyrinths is kept per-
fectly pure by currents of air that are
almost imperceptible except neaz the
mouth, where they meet in current 80
powerful that it is difficult TO pass
through it, Diving downward with
resolution, following the dim light of a
lantern the bridal chamber" is soon
entered where each one receives light
ed candle and views with admiration
the crystal boxwork of a pale chocolate
color, suggesting Lincrusta Walton
decorations, that covers walls and cell.
Ing. Probably the greatest curiosity
ever brought out of this cave is
"petrifed spiders web," of which sew
eral specimens were found by this party
in the interstices Of the boxwork. The
fine web was brittle and covered with
very tiny crystals, like. the twigs of a tre Q
bent down by sleet. Next is the snow
ball room, where balls of feathery white
frost crystals have adhered to walls and
ceilings One passage and labyrinth
after another is threaded with much
STOPPING and careful picking of steps.
The postoffice. red hall. partition hall.
devils look out, Millions study, Samp-
sons palace and the drawing room are
passed. each chamber affording new won
ders in frost or wind or water effects.
When the Methodist church was reach
ed, two miles from the entrance and
500 feet below the surface, the party
quenched their thirst at n clear spring
and voted to retrace their steps, and by
the time they had again reached the
entrance all were willing to forego the
wonders Of the remaining five miles OF
labvrinths which this one route en-
braces, including the dining room,
giants causeway, capitol hill, amphi-
theater statuary hall, Fullers fats and
photograph gallery, The guides, Messrs
McPerson and Mcbride, are agile and
watchf,!, as well as courteous and
patient. Among the specimens brought
out by the more persevering were some
fine goods, both Of clear and chocolate
colored crystals, and several almost
amber colorcd stalactites.
A few days since CHRONICLE repre-
sentative chanced to be listener to q
conversation between two or three mem,
bers ofthe Custer Cornet Band, relative
to the financial condition of that organi.
zation, the difficulties with which it had
to contend, and the amount of substan
tial encouragement which 1t has been
and is receiving from the people O
Custer. A discussion of the matter
from A to z made it quite evident tha
the criticisms the boys were making
were deserved. 1t is a fact that the Custel
ban0, as now organized, has at all time,
could for the town, furnishing music Or
every public occasion and receiving
little or no remuneration. and the mem
bers are justified in thinking that they
have not been treated just right. II
takes funds. good round dollars, to keeT
up band, and it can't be done at the in
dividual expense of those who compose
It, though in this case each one OF the
boys have during the past year, spen
time and money, for which they have
received no return. Custer cam
afford to lose its band. 1t is already ar
institution that we may well be proud
OF. and little timely interest and assist
ance will keep it together and improve
it. In order TO do this II is not neces
sary that any particular one 90 dowi
deep into his pocket, an occasional some
thing in the line Of benefit entertain
ment, would answer the purpose, an,
all that is necessary is the co operation o
the citizens with the efforts Of the ban,
! boys.