The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-07-20
THROUGH The BLACK HILLS.
The South Dakota Press Associa-
tons Annual Outing.

The editorial party which left Sioux
City on the afternoon of June % COM
prised about sixty persons. Subsequent
ly enough additions were made to swell
the party to seventy y-tive or more, which
was about the number carried on the
tour through the Black Hills. The
Northwestern railroad company kindly
placed a special chair car at the service
of the association, which, together with
Wagner sleeper, made the journey a
very comfortable and pleasant one. The
route lay over the G. St. P. NJ. & 0. to Nor
folk and from there to Hot Springs over
the +. E. e NJ. v.
And it is proper to say right here that
1T is to just such literally managed
roads that editorial associations are most
indebted for the pleasure of their out
lngs. The railroad companies have to
bear the brunt Of the expenses and re-
ceive nothing but complimentary
mention or two, while the localities
visited not only receive lots of tirst-class
advertising but good hard cash besides.
The editorial party in question left not
less than $1,000 in the Black Hllls-over
half of which was dropped at Hot Springs
and the advertising now being given
that country by the visitors can hardly
be estimated. Let us hope the railroads
the Northwestern and the Burlington
will get their share Of the benefits that
may come from it.
Leaving Sioux City at 2:3O, Norfolk
was reached in time for supper, and
while the repeSt was being enjoyed, our
two cars were switched Oh to the through
train from Chicago. This train hap
pened to have smart baggageman on;
one OF these hair-splitting officials you
occasionally run across. Said individual
refused to receive as part of the edi-
torial baggage several cases OF mineral
water brought along from Sioux City.
The superintendent was appealed to
by wire and Mr.. Baggageman tumbled
several thousand feet. Another time he
Will not be so particular in passing up
on editorial baggage. The trip cut
through Nebraska, along the sand hills,
was without incident or scenic interest.
But in our two special cars fun waxed
hot and furious until far into the night,
IN which part the ladies of the party
took most active part. The train was
in charge of Conductor Ole Oleson- and
aye tank him pretty good weller. Three
cheers were given for him at nearly
every station, much to the open mouthed
and wide,eved astonishment of the sta
ton loungers and cattle rustlers who
evidently were advised Of our coming.
Buffalo Gap was reached at in the
morning, where a delegation from Hot
Springs, headed by Capt. Lucas, was on
hand to meet Us. Others in the party
were the Stanley Bros. of the Star, II. d.
Clark and the sheriff. This was Sunday
morning. Buffalo Gap was quite a town
once-bnt the railroads pushed on into
the Hills and with them went the people.
Then John S. White left-and the town
hast done anything since. About all
that remains Is the gap, which must
have cost good deal. 1t is one of the
incest gaps we ever saw.
The +. f. & NJ. V. and the Burlington
roads swing uD from Nebraska and 90
almost straight north into the Black
Hills, the Burlington on the left and the
Elkhorn on the right. Hot Springs lies
nearly midway between the two and is
connected with the Elkhorn by stub
line running east IL miles to Buffalo
Gap, and with the Burlington on the
west by line running to Minnekahta.
Both roads use one depot at Hot Springs,
an exceedingly pretty stone structure on
the bank of Fall river.
IT. did not take long to tranrer passen-
gers and baggage at Buffalo Gap and al
most before we had time 10 become az
quainted with the pickets sent out to
intercept us, our destination was reached
and day Of rest set before us. A per-
feet jam met us at the station, partly
made up Of old time friends and ac-
quaintances, largely by the usual curious
throng and with the usual complement
OF porters and hotel runners. The party
all took quarters at the Evans and spent
the day-a hot one--in quietly enjoying
the many comforts OF this splendid
hotel
Hot Springs, Its promoters say, is the
Carlsbad of America. Not as old into
1900 years or so as the famous Bohemian
watering place, yet there is a striking
resemblance in the general location OF
the two watering places, and who shall
say that the healing qualities of the
waters Is greater in one than in the
other? Hot Springs has population of
about 1890; and though it has no visible
means Of support and coyote would
starye to death in the country surround.
ing, vet the last census shows that the
town is rapidly gaining in population
It's prosperity lies principally, Of course
in its attractiyeness as pleasure resort
and in the medicinal qualities of the
water from its numerous springs, which
are becoming better known and more
famous every year. It's location, too, i;
such that it catches nearly every one
who goes to or comes from the northern
part OF the Hills for II day or two al
least. The editors ran on to the Hon
Dan Lamont and party quartered at thu
Evans. The secretary OF war was ou,
inspecting the military posts ana hat
his special train pulled into Hot Springs
over Sunday. We would all liked Il
have met the presidents closest friend
and adviser personally, but the night be-
fore the citizens gave a reception In his
honor, and then it was the Sabbath. So VIC
had to be content with only passing
glimpses of Dan once or twice during
the day. He was accompanied by Mrs
Lamont, two children and maid. a couple
nf W.chinu utou Iadioc and covoraI mill,