The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-08-03

tastic shapes and grottOes that resemble
the moulded symmetry of hand-work, |
line the entire canyon, the beauty of |
which makes this road one OF the great
est scenic routes in the world The
Spearfish falls, 60 feet In hight, is a
beautiful and interesting feature.
just as one begins to wonder il the
river will never cease its mad race, the
engine ever strike Il straight piece of
track and the towering wells never end,
the train darts out ofthe canyon like a |
bullet, into a level country, past pretty
lawns, along shaded streets and cozy
houses and suddenly bring up at the
station in Spearlish.
In any eastern or middle state Spear
fish would not be pointed out as pretty |
tOwn-lt has not reached the necessary
age for that-but in the extreme west
and i'll so rough a country as the Black
Hills il becomes by comparison decided
ly so. The contrast, too, between it and
the general knockdown and put-together
appearance of the mining towns and
camps makes it appear all the more
charming. Its topography is As level as a
prairie town, and the abundance of
water from the Spearlish river which
runs like mill race through the heart
OF the town has enabled the inhabitants
TO adorn their homes with shrubDery,
lawns and shade trees to an almost un
limited extent. The water Of the Spear
fish Is as clear and cold as any mountain
torrent that ever tumbled down cas-
cade and in its rapid descent carries in
to the valley an immense rolome of
water at all seasons of the year. A little
ways up the canyon is the head of the
waterworks system, and the stream also
furnishes the power for the electric light
plant. Flumcs carry the water to all
parts of the town for gardening on an
extensive scale and for irrigating large
tracts Of farm land adjacent. Farm
land which can be reached by water is
worth anywhere from $50 to 800 an acre
and quarter sections are priced at $4,000
and 5000. There is market in the
Hills for all that can be raised. We saw
as fine a field of timothy as ever grew.
Prof. Cook OF the Normal School leased
small piece of land belonging to the
college and year ago last spring set
out an acre and half of strawberry
plants. The crop was being marketed
when we were there, and the yield was
estimated at 5000 boxes 100 boxes hay
ing been picked that marning-w which
at the price received, 10 cents net,
would amount to nearly $1,000. Tie
berries were the largest and finest we
ever saw.
The Kenmonth Is one OF the very best
hotels in the state. 1t is a nice brick
structure, finely furnished and Mr.. Ken
month appears to be natural born
landlord. In fact there ii nothing about
Speariish or its environments to dissap,
point the tourist, and l.ie entire party
regretted that an additional day could
not be passed there. 1t was particularly
| true Of the writer. About 10 miles from
town, on Sand creek, can be found some
of the finest fishing for salmon trout
that ever delighted the most ardent de-
| ciple Of the late Isaac Walton. Strings
of 80 and 100 to one rod are not an I'M
common days catch and it made this
scribe sick to go and leave such fishing
so near at hand. But about one hun
dred of the beauties were served for
breakfastso that was something.
The citizens gave an informal recep-
tion and hop at the opera house and the
next morning which was Saturday
the visitors were taken about town in
carriages.
We left Spearlsh at 1890, amid the
waving Of handkershicfs and the cheers
and good byes CT the citizens, going
back over the same road to .ead-33
miles by rail, - as the crow ilies, and
then, after a long climb up the hill,
boarded the Black Hills & Fort Pierre
for Hot Springs. The scenery along
this line is almost as picturesque as that
of the Spearilsh canyon, and it would be
quite SO perhaps had not the Homcstake
company seriously marred the beauty Of
it by stripping the mountains of the
timber. What the company left forest
fires have taken and the face OF the
hills preeent rather Il desolate appear
ance in some places. Still it is Il most
interesting ride. extremely so along Elk
Creek canyon, where the famous Crystal
Cave is located. We stopped near the
cave 80 minutes but did not visit it for
want OF time. Its entrance lies nearly
at the top OF the canyon via a long wind
ing ascent. This road was the first one
constructed in the Hills and was built
to convey timber to the mines. Regular
passenger trains now run over it, tC
which are attached observation cars, and
a tour of t'n !Il,is is hot complete with
out trip over this line. The road finds
its way out OF the n lntains along the
course OF Elk Creek, another cold noun
tain torrent, and terminates in the foot
hills at Piedmont on the Elkhorn.
We found our train here waiting fol
lis aud a special Car in readiness for Tho
journey south. A stop of few minutes
/ was made at Rapid City for supper and
Hot Springs was reached at 0:30 Sun
dav was quietly passed. with Of c0urs;
sundry visits to the plunge bath, ant
then, after many Il warm and hearty
handshaka and friendly good byes will
the genial and newly-formed acquaint
{ ances at Hot Springs who crowded tht
, pretty depot grounds TO say farewell, th'
t excursionists that night left via tn,
ElkhOrn for home.
t As intimated, it was probably the mos
Q delightful outing in the history of TIL
press association, and no little credit i
| due to President Patten and Secretar'
, | Hallafav who nlanned thu trim So nicpI