Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-02-10
CUSTER CITY.

nave encountered more VlclssltuOes In
the struggle for commercial prominence
than Custer City. The pioneer city,
embraced within the golden borders of
the rich and promising region known as
the Black Hills. its infancy was beset
with medley of trials and adverse cir.
cumstances. rarely If eyer experienced
in the history Of .he west. The region,
during the early history of this place
was peculiarly unfavorable to settle
ment. the portals Of civilization being
doubly sealed. The strong opposition
Of the savage, combined with the more
powerful resistance Of the government
seemed fairly insurmountable. but the
persistent determination of the pros
pector. the pathfinder. through whose
resistless efforts the once isolated aud
trackless west has been wrested from
the realms Of obscurity, and made TO
blossom as the rose, finally succeeded in
planting the advance stakes of a civili-
zation, which now gives promise Of
being as enduring as the everlasting
hills by which the place is SO omautic-
ally envIroned The extreme hardships
endured, and the multiplied trials and
which beset the path
of these avant couriers Of civilization
may never be known, but suffice it to
say, that, in the history Of his country,
no instance can be cited where the early
settlers of any region had more serious
and trying obstacles to contend with
than fell to the lot Of the pioneers Of the
Black Hills. Custer City was first set
tied early in the summer Of 1875, the
townsite being first located in July of
that year. 1t was not however until
near the close of the year, after the
troops which had been guarding the
region against the invasion of the an.
xious prospector, had departed. and the
town was re located, that building oper-
ations to any considerable extent were
inaugurated. During the FIVE succeed
ing months, fourteen hundred buildings
were erected, largely of the primitive
order, being constructed of rough pine
logs, with dirt roof The to- wn had then
gained a population Of not less than
1000 souls, with ninety business houses,
exclusive of saloons, in full business
blast. The prospect Of future prosperity
seemed rosy in the extreme, but the
discovery of gold galore in Deadwood
gulch completely turned the tide of
affairs. and an exodus of such remark
able character set in as to fairly depop.
ulate the place, there Being only fourteen
souls remaining in the once proud and
populous city, all told, after the brief
space of three weeks, when the great
hegra had ended. This is conceded by
all who remained to hold the fort, and
do battle in Casters cause, to have been
the one particular period in their check
cred lives which most tried their sick
ened souls The few who remained
we're compelled to build fortifications
against the ravaging red idols of the
government for which the region was
so conspicuous at that time, and to their
credit may it be said, they nobly per-
formed their part, and stood their
ground against alarming odds until re
inforced by incoming miners from out
side localities some weeks afterward.
The city now, after having passed
through almost every phase Of misfoy
tune presents an appearance in marked
with that presented In the days
Of yore; brick and frame buildings have
taken the place of the log shanty of
by gone days, and business, while ii is
not of the hurrah character that marked
its early history, is Of the more orderly
and substantial Rind, and constantly in
creasing in volume and Importance
The remarkable hegira referred to was
far reaching in its effects, retarding, as
it did, for years the development Of the
mineral resources of the southern Hills,
a region of surprising advantages and
exceptional commercial promise. 1t
was not until 1890, when the b & NJ.
Railroad company completed its Black
Hills branch to this city that the place
was favored with railroad connection
with the outside world, since which
time its progress has been more especi-
ally marked. The city is favOrably
located in the heart of region abound
ing in ali the varied natural resources
which tend to make country highly
prosperous; aud while the fact remains
that these marvellous resources are, as
yet, comparatively undeveloped. it is
but question of time, and a reasonable
supposition that the day is not distant,
when their merits will be more fully
understood, and that by proper utiiiza-
ton they will become the great factor
in the future advancement of the place.
The townsite upon which the city is
located is one OF matchless beauty, and
its pleasing and delightful surroundings
lend an additional charm which can not
fail to please the eye Of all observers.
The exceptional beauty and marked
healthfulness of the city has been the
means Of attracting large number Of
tourists and pleasure seekers from the
over-crowded cities of the east, during
the summer months, who greatly enjoy
the rare beauty of the scenery, and the
cool and invigorating mountain air for
which this place is rapidly becoming
prove bial From this source alone the
city is already deriving material benefit,
but not tithe Of what it may reasons-
bly, be expected to enjoy when its rare
merits in This direction become more
widely known, and it has become, as
there are good and substantial reasons
upon which to base the belief. one OF
the most popular summer resorts in the
west. Sylvan lake, located in the midst
Of q marvellous medley Of scenic attrac-
tions, few miles north of the city is
rapidly growing In popularity a. pub
lie resort. and promises to become one
of the citv's chief drawing cards during
the season of eastern torridity. When
the unfortunate denixens of the large