Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-09-28

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willing and well paid agents, was going
to prosecute the saw mill men of this
section for violating tfe timber laws,
the gravcst apprehensions were aroused
concerning the probable effect such ac-
ton would have upon the future pros
perity of this city. Many of our citizens
took a gloomy view Of the situation,
predicting results of the most disastrous
character. Instances might be given
where certain over apprehensive indi-
viduals expressed the opinion that, in
the event Of the successful prosecution
of these cases, the town would be practi-
cally depopulated, and that it would
require at least five years for it to fully
recover from the shock. One man said.
in the presence Of the writer that, ii The
timber men were convicted, it would
not be ten days before our citizens
would be falling over each other in their
efforts to get out Of the town. Weeks
have come and gone since the dismal (2)
crash. with all its attendant terrors (?J
came down upon rs and what is the
families settling In the city since the
terrible (?) timber panic, is known to
have exceeded the number that have
left the place by fifty per cent, and at
this writing the average daily attend
ance at the public schools Of the city is
greater than il has been at any former
period in the history of the town.
Whatever may have been the former
Impressions entertained by our citizens
as to the consequent results eff the
shutting down Of few saw mills in this
locality, it may be set down as well
settled fact that, large majority Of the
residents Of Custer are now convinced
that the CHRONICLE did not err in its
statement, made several weeks ago that,
"the result would be beneficial rather
than detrimental TO the interests Of the
city, veritable blessing in Disguise"
The benefits We anticipate, the realiza-
tion of which is already assured, will re-
suit chiefly frCu. the increased attention
given to the development four mineral
resources, which we hold to be para
mount to all others, which now gives
bright promise Of ample return in cash,
to the general benefit Of the masses, and
not in the delusive paper promise, good
for goods only. popularly known as a
coupon, which has figured so conspicu-
ously as an appendage of the lumber
industry, the benefit Of which was only
shared by the few. That the tide OF
commercial progress is already becom-
ing more active by reason of the in
auguration Of new mining enterprises,
is clearly apparent, and when, in the
not distant future. the material re-
sources, by which this region has been
so bounteously favored, have been fair
ly utilized, We will all rejoice over the
happy turn in the tide of our local
business affairs. which resulted in the
material advancement of our commercial
progress. and gave us medium of ex-
change good everywhere instead Of the
customary coupon, which at best was
only good somewhere. Custer is in no
danger of being injured to any extent
whatever by the saw mill shut down. and
the man who thinks it possible to blot
her off the map ofthe state. is evidently
unfamiliar with her history, which
marks category of adverse circum.
stances, more crushing in their char
acter than have ever fallen to the lot of
any town in the west, all of which she
has safely survived, and it may be &C.
cepted as = certainty that she will con
tinue to saw wood, just the same, at the
old stand.