Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-02-03
CUSTER COUNTY.

Among the important counties en-
braced in what is known as the Black
Hills. Custer, by reason of her rich and
varied resources, must eventually reach
a standard Of commercial prominence
surpassed by no other county in the
region. This county, located in the
southern Hills, adjoining Pennington on
the north, and Fall River on the south,
embraces a large area of territory hav-
ing an average width Of more than
twenty-five miles, and nearly seventy
miles in length, extending, as it does,
from the Cheyenne river on the east TO
the Wyoming line on the west. The
eastern and southern portions Of the
county embrace large area Of as fine
agricultural lands as can be found in the
state, while the central, northern and
character. In the large area embraced
in the mineral districts. numerous val
leys and open parks Of varying extent,
are being utilized as farming lands. and
have proved to be of the highest pro-
ductive character, the most remarkable
yield of wheat, oats and barley noted in
any parts of the Hills. having been
produced upon these lands. The min
ersl resources of this county are ex-
tensive, varied and important and while
development has been limited, partial
In ;na h.
fairly determined the value Of the de-
posits, and afford ample warrant for
future profitable operation. The gold
bearing ores Of this county are largely
refractory in character, and contain the
precious metal to an extent largely IN ex
cess Of the ore bodiest the containing gold
in metallic, or what is known as the free
milling state This character Of ore is
found here in veins of surprising mag
nitude, well defined in character and
outcrop. and Of established value, as
determined by the numerous assays and
tests TO which it has been
submitted. This character of ore is
found in certain districts almost to the
entire exclusion of all other varieties,
and in such massive bodies and fabul-
Gus quantity AS to be wholly beyond the
limit Of human computation and it
may be safely conceded that its proper
would place this county in
the front rank of the great gold produc-
ing counties Of the northwest. Custer
contains within its limits large
portion of the great ilarney Peak tin
belt, upon which a vast number of
promising locations have been made,
many of which have passed TO the pos
session of the celebrated Harney Peak
ria company, while still greater mum
ber yet remain in possession of the
original locators. The value of these
deposits have been clearly determined
by extensive development aud opera
lion, notably in what is known as the
rsndsrfoot district where an immense
tunnel was run into the mountain near
ly thousand feet by the company
above named, tapping the massive vein
At great depth, which proved to be Of
phenomenal richness as subsequently
shown by its profitable reduction.
In addition to the gold and tin de-
posits of this county, the utilization of
either Of which would afford abundant
there are numerous other
minerals, embracing nearly
every character known TO scIeace, which
only await the potent power of enter
prise, and the magic wand of capital TO
prottably produce, and be made avail
able for commercial uses. OF these
none, except mica. are at pres
ent receiving any considerable degree of
attention. while their presence in pay
able quantity may be safely conceded.
This county has extensive live stock
interests, a large number of cattle and
horses being grown here for eastern
1t is well watered, and has
an abundance OF timber, principally
pine, which is very desirable for build
ing purposes. The lumber industry has
attained considerable importance, with
a promising outlook for increasing mag
nitude. That this county offers excep-
tional inducements for profitable invest
ment can not be consistently questioned.
and 1t is the ardent hope of her citizens
that the rare opportunities and sterling
advantages here presented for safe and
remuneratiye investment, may become
more widely known and better under
stood, TO the end that her resources
may be more fully utilized, her com
mercial prestige materially advanced,
and the country at large substantially
benefited thereby.