Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-07-11
What We Saw at Hot Springs.

| What we saw az HOT springs.
For the first time in eight years we
visited Hot Springs upon the occasion
of the late celebration. Should
We attempt description in detail
of the various objects Of interest we
there beheld, We very much fear
that our columns would be sadly lacking
in their capacity to contain the account.
We shall therefore briefly refer. in q
cursory manner, to such prominent OBJ.
jects as may occur to us as we write.
The most noteworthy institution, and
one which commends itself to the atten-
tion Of all Hot Springs visitors, and
second only in prominence TO its popniar,
promoter, F. T. Evans, the uncrowned
king of hot water enterprises, is the
mammoth plunge bath, which in its
perfection ofarrangement, and elaborate
appointments, is not excelled in this, or
any other country. 1t is supplied from
mammoth medicinal spring, which
gushes forth its healing waters, of crystal
clearness, in untold abundance, in the
extreme upper end Of the bath, keeping
the great reservoir constantly filled to
the point Of discharge at the lower end.
The depth Of the water varies from four
feet at the upper end of the bath, to
eleven feet at the lower end, thus afford
ing the opportunity Of acquiring the art
Of swimming without incurring the risk
of drowning, by keeping in shallow
water until the art is obtained. The
plunge bath is the crowning attraction,
and is extensively patronized by the
host of visitors that are constantly arri
wing at the great resort.
The Minnekahta block, a massive
stone edifice, grand in structure, and
elegant and elaborate in all its appoint
ments, now rapidly approaching COM
pietion, is worthy of special mention.
1t ranks with the best buildings Of the
state, and when fully completed in ac-
cordance with the plans adopted, will
become crowning monument of archi-
tectural grandeur, Of which Hot Springs
may well be proud. Within the massive
walls of this towering structure four
mammoth mercantile firms will conduct !
their business, one National bank will |
dispense its business affairs two physi- |
clans and surgeons, with large and COM
modious Offices and suites, will cater to |
the wants of their patrons, grand opera |
house, elegantly appointed and repIete |
with all the modern appurtenances Of
the period, will soon be dedicated to the |
muses., probably by corps of Custer
artists) and last but not least the Mjyae- |
kahta Club rooms, the finest in the ,krAr |
will be the solace and delight OF tAe
tired and carewoin eastern visitor 10
this modern mecca Of health and happi- |
ness.
The Black Hills college, an imposing
structure, through which we were kindly
shown by President Hancher, compares
favorably with institutions Of its kind in
older and more pretentious localities,
and is rapidly acquiring envia5le re-
nown as a model educational institution
The Minnekahta, Gillespie and Sani-
tarium, the three leading hotels, in the
matter Of their spacious proportions,
elegant appointments and hultless man.
agement would do credit to city often
times the population Of Hot Springs,
afiording better accommodations than
any town of corresponding population
in the United States can boast.
Costly cottages, cozy and com Portable.
constructed In accordance with the latest
and most attractive architectural de-
signs, dot the landscape on every hand.
The Sol1iers home, a state institution
where small army Of declining veterans
of the late war are provided with all the
comforts Of a home, an ornament to the
city, and credit to the energy and
enterprising character of her citizens to
whose persistent efforts its location at
that place is due. was viewed with live.
ly interest. The Chautauqua grounds,
with its spacious auditorium, and en-
chanting surroundings, presented a
picture Of surprising scenic beauty upon
which the lover of the beautiful may
gaze for hours in silent admiration. But
We must pause before we have fairly
commenced to enumerate the countless
Improvements that haye served to COM
pass the wonderful transformation the
place has undergone since our last visit,
eight years ago. Our space is limited,
and We can only say further, that we
saw the most enterprising and hospitable
class of citizens it has been our good
fortune to meet in any country We have
ever visited, and that among the many
well wishers for the rapid advancement
and permanent prosperity Of the great
health and pleasure resort, to be found
throughout the Black Hills and else
where, the writer and his fellow citizens
of the Pioneer City, will ever form a
prominent part.
Not Guilty.
The verdict Of the jury in the celebrat-
ed Few Tails murder case which was re-
Gently concluded at Sturgis, was mot
guilty" Three ballots were taken, the
first and second stood eleven for acquit-