Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-03-26
A DELICATE MATTER.
Young Lady and Certain Gentlemen of
Custer in Serious Trouble.

Custer in Serious Trouble.
Since the last issue Of the CHRONICLE
there have been given to the public the
details of one of the most disgraceful
and deplorable affairs that has ever
stained the fair name of our little city.
1t is with feeling Of aversion that we
touch upon the subject at all, but deem
it our duty to give as briefly as possible,
the facts which we have been able to
sift from the thousand and one rumors
that have been afloat during the week
just passed. On Friday of last week IT
was noised about that young lady who
has made Custer her home since early
childhood, and who had always been
considered above reproach, had made
known to her friends the fact that she
was in delicate condition. and had
named as her betrayer prominent
young man. who has resided here some
thing oyer year, and who has during
that time won an enviable reputation
for steadlness and integrity. BY Satur-
day morning the whispers and rumors
of the evening before had developed
into plain unqualified statements, and
as the young lady who had been wrong
ed is an orphan, committee of citizens
was appointed, and instructed TO ascer-
tain the facts and commence action
against the man charged with her ruin
He was waited upon by the committee,
and upon being accused. stoutly denied
his guilt, refused to do anything for the
girl, and seemed confident that he could
establish his innocence. lie was taken
to the bed ide ofthe girl and even there
repeated his assertions Of innocence, al
though she continued to declare that he
was responsible for her condition.
There was no attempt TO conceal any
thing. Everything connected with the
case, was more than usually public, and
the citizens of Custer realized that some
thing must be done to right in a meas
ure, the terrible wrong that has been
done fatherless, mother.ess girl, who
by many has not been considered ment-
ally responsible for her actions. In re.
gard TO the guilt of the young man ac.
cused, public opinion was divided. Many
believed that the girls story was correct
while others maintained that one or
more other persons were implicated,
and that she had been influenced to
shield them at the expense Of the one
accused. And so the matter has been
discussed, stories told. and opinions ex-
pressed, until three or four individuals
we'll known in this community have
been connected with the affair and their
regulations smirched ard blackened by
its terrible details.
The CHRONICLE does not presume to
be knowing enough to extract the truth
from these reeking stories, and give it
to the public. much as we would wish
to, in order that justice might be done TO
all concerned. We are unable to say
who of the accused are innocent and
who guilty, but this We know, that girl,
whose early life was saddened by afflic
tons, who has long been deprived of
parental protection and guidance, who,
though woman in years, is child in
mind aNd experience, has been ruined
for life, through the hellish lust OF a
man or men. Custer owes it to this girl,
this helpless child, to rise in its man
hood and dignity and prosecute the
guilty ones vigorously and unrelenting-
ly, 10 make them amenable to law
which will place them within the con-
fines Of the state penitentary for term
Of years. IL will not make anew the
reputation that has been destroyed, nor
repair in any measure the terrible ruin
that has been wrought. but it will make
an example Of those beings who have
sacrificed their rights to the title man,
and perhaps do good in time to come.
While the names of the parties connect
ed With this affair are on nearly every
tongue, we have not seen fit to mention
them. knowing, as we do, that it would
have no good result, and only tend to
further injure those who are innocent.
To those who are inclined to regard this
matter carelessly, to sieze the rumors
that reach them, and give them greater
publicity. we would simply say. be care
full, be charitable, think before you
speak, and remember that the reputa-
tions Of some who are entirely blame
less may be destroyed unthinkingly.
Rogers @. Mills has been elected SEN
ator from the lone star state.