Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-05-30
The Black Hills.

Within the $500 square miles Of terri-
tory embraced in the Black Hills exist
almost all the treasures Of the earth.
The claim is boldly made, and snscepti-
BILE OF proof, tina. no other section of the
continent of equal area, approaches 1t IN
variety and abundance of natural re-
sources.
A variety of obstacles operated TO pre-.
vent an aggressive continuous deyelope
ment of the region. Wrested from saw
ages by force, its virgin valleys baptized
with the blood of pioneers. it remained
for ~ years practically isolated from
the rest of the world. The dangers IL.
cident to stage journey checked tl6
influx of people which flooded other
camps. The weak and timid were re-
strained, but the strong and vigorous
poured in and laid broad and deep the
foundati ons Of score of hourishing
communities.
No better proof of the richness Of its
precious metals could be furnished than
that the output yielded handsome re-
turn to the miner after paying the enor-
nous cost of transportation of the rail-
road. The tribute levied by primitive
transportation companies was severe
drain on the energies of the people. 1t
virtually prevented the development
Of all but the richest mineral bodies. As
a consequence work was restricted, low
grade ores and the baser metals left un-
touched, and the growth of the country
materially checked. These conditions
have disappeared. Two railroads now
penetrate the Hills, on the east and west
sides, and their operation have given a
marF ed impetus to the country. The
one great need-prompt and adequate
transportation facilities-is supplied
The sluggish channels of trade have
been invigorated, prospecting and de-
velopment encouraged, and industries
increased and strengthened.
The opening of these highways to the
heart of trade and industry places the
Black Hills on the high road to pros
perity. The effect is already apparent
in the confidence displayed, the activity
prevalent in the mining camps and
vigorous energy shown in the develop
ment of mines and reduction of miner
ais heretofore untouched. Not only
are the gold and silver interests develop
ing splendidly but the tin, copper, coal,
iron, lead, mica, zinc and other minerals
are attracting enterprising investors.
Prominent among the mineral re-
sources ofthe Hills are the vast deposits
of tin ore. To the outside world the ex-
tent ana fn1Pvitanoc vr tfs~s~ dci,ocsfa
were practically unknown until South
Dakota become sovereign state. IT'S
senators and representatives in congress,
during the tariff debate, not only dem
onstrated their importance as q factor
in the industrial progress of the nation
but succeeded in placing duty on the
foreign product. The extent and vari-
ETY. Of the deposits, comprising 600
known lodes coupled with the encour-
agement accorded by the national
government, will go far toward giving
the Black Hills practical monopoly of
the country's tin supply before many
years.
The resources Of the Hills are not lin.
tied to the metals. 1t is selfsustaining
agriculturally and borders on vast area
of grazing lard capable Of supplying the
wants of several million beef eaters.
Building stone abounds in inexhaustible
quantities, as well as marble. cement
and clay. In fact this favored region
contains in lavish abundance the re-
sources necessary to rear prosperous in
dustrial communities. All obstacles to
their development are removed, and
the Black Hills enters actively upon the
the career of prosperity bountiful
nature designed for its people.-Omaha
Bee.