Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-06-20
THE PIONEER PICNIC.
The Society Of Black Hills Pioneers
Hold their Annual Picnic in
this City on Thursday.
A Success in Every Feature.
Thousands Participated in the Festivities
and Were More than Delighted with
the Pleasing Experiences Incident to
the Enjoyable Occasion.

tue bnlOyaDie OccaslOu.
Twas an ideal day. The copious rain
Of the previous evening effectually dis
posed Of the dust hich would other ise
have been q disagreeabie feature. and
the heavy rain which fell the night fol-
lowing seemed providentially withheld
until the exercises Of the day had been
concluded. The city was at her best,
waying pines, their green foliage mark
ing pleasing contrast with the imme
diate surroundings, lent charm to the
scence, and a thousand starry emblems
floating in the gentle breeze gave color
to the conclusion that Custer fully ap-
preciated the importance OF the occasion,
and the honor conferred upon her by
being selected for the festive event. A
magnificent arch, elegantly and elabor-
ately decorated, through which the
visitors were conducted in the march to
the grove, served TO emphasize the ar
dent welcome that SO manifestly per-
vaded the Custer heart. The roar of
cannonsin the adjacent wood announced
the sudden approach Of the crowded
trains, the first Of which arrived at 9:l5
a. m. followed by three others at half
hour intervals. Upon the arrival Of the
fourth and last train from the north, (the
regular train from the south having
arrived on time the procession was
formed on Custer Avenue under the
direction OF Marshal Smith, and with
streaming banners and enlivening music,
escorted by tie Custer Guards and Gus.
ter Cornet band, marched 10 Pioneer
Park where the exercises were held. A
prominent feature in the make up of
the procession was the Trail Blaziers
Brigade representing in a most strik-
ing and realistic manner. number Of
the noted pioneers of the Black Hills.
as they appeared twenty years ago on
their weary and hazardous pilgrimage to
the golden goal of their happy hopes.
Prominent among the pioneers repre-
sented in this sturdy band. were Jack
Gray, Johnny Manning, Jack NcAleer,
Ross. Tom Russell, John Smiley, Cali
in the innitial pages Of Black Hills his
tory.
The exercises, which were of most
interesting character, commenced about
IL o'clock. with the address Of welcome
by Mayor Hanley, of Custer, which, in
addition to the warm and ardent vel.
come extended to the society, expressed
q high and deserved tribute to their
commsndsble pluck and energy in plant
ing the advance stakes in the direction
of the civilization and advancement of a
region which now gives ample promise
of the highest distinction among the
worlds most famous mining eldorado's,
and the centre of civilization that
shall be as grand and enduring as the
firm set hills which mark its golden
limits. The address was appropriate 4; it
turned over the municipal keys to visi-
tors and inspired them with the fullest
measure of confidence in the sincerity
Of the welcome extended them. 1t was
eloquent and impressive, every word
falling upon listening and sttsntiye ears,
and we deeply regret the fact that by
reason OF limited space, a more extend
ed mention of it, and other able address
es following is necessarily omitted.
Hon. w. G. Porter, of Custer, followed
with very able address which held
the strictest attention of the large au-
diencs to the close. 1t was marked by
the most ardent expressions of welcome
to visiting guests. was exceptional in its
eloqusnce and appropriateness and was
greeted by abundant and well nerited
applause.
w. L. Mclaughlin, ono of Dead woods
most polished and eloquent orators. res
ponded to the welcome so eloqusntly
and appropriately extended, by the
speakers named, and in q few we'll
chosen remarks signified the deep ap
probation Of the same on the part Of
the visitors. Later on he favored the
audience with an address at some length,
abounding in eloquent and appropriate
references to pioneer history, with
special mention of the import part per
formed by the pioneer woman in build
ing up the temple of Black Hills civ;li-
zation in the absence of which the grand
structure would have tottered to its fall
long before it had reached its present
imposing proportions. The address Was
interesting and entsrtaiaing. and was re-
ceived with loud aud prolonged sviden-
ces of satisfaction on the part Of his
auditors.
Rev. A. 8. Mcconnell, of Dead ood,
was introduced. and held the attention
Of the audience for . half hour with q
discourse which was especially pleasing
to his hearers, being sandwiched with
humor in such proportion ~ to give it
q zest that materially added to the
measure Of its interesting features.
w. A. RhineAsrt, of Lead, followed
with An able oration sioqusntly and
impressively presented which was list
snsd to with the closest attention, in
which was embraced an interesting
resume Of the early history Of the Hills,
and . glance at its marvellous progress
and surprising possibilities.
J. ". Tullock. the sage of spearfish,
whose roseats and rymthic rhetoric upon
the rostrum has rendered him famous
throughout the northern Hills, was then
introduced to the audience, aad for
twenty minutes the applause created by
his Characteristic elequsncs, and the
audible evidences of myrth produced
BY his humorous uttsrancss we're pre-