Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1897-08-06
GOVERNOR ANDREW {. LEE.
He Visits the Black Hills and Re-
ceiges a Royal Reception.

Governor A. E. Lee arrived at Hot
Springs on the morning of the 25th ult.
He was met at Buffalo Gap by Com
mandant Linn of the Soldiers Home.
The Governor enjoyed a quiet Sunday,
taking a short drive in the afternoon. On
Monday he visited various points of in
teresI and was the guest of Mrs. Fred
Evans for dinner.
In the evening the citizens of Hot
Springs turned out in force and paid
their respects to the Governor at the
Soldiers Home It was informal in all
respects and very happy social event.
The Governor also dined with the SOL
dier boys as their guest and enjoyed the
occasion very much. After being intro.
duced by the Commandant. he addressed
the mem bers briefly and among other
things said the Home was for the benefit
and comfort of the survivors of the
grandest army in the worlds history,
and no man who loved the veterans
would ever attempt to draw them into
political strife or contention. He wanted
the Home kept our Of politics, but with
entire freedom of action and thought as
individuals. He received d flattering re-
ception at the hands of the soldier
boys"
Tuesday morning the Governor left
for Deadwo accompanied by Com
mandant Linn. There he received a
royal reception at the hands Of Seth
Bullock, Congressman Knowles, Rep
resentative Olsen, State Treasurer Phil
lips, Col. Moody, Hon. Frank Washa-
baugh, and hundreds of others. At
Lead the Governor and party was taken
in charge by Gen. Grier, superintendent
of the great Homestake works, and a
visit was paid to all the interesting
points under the Homestake manage
ment. One can form some idea Of the
magnitude of the works and wealth pro.
duced from the pay roll which amounts
to nearly 100000 month.
Wednesday a visit was made to the
Bald Mountain region on the Elkhorn
narrow gauge railroad. On this trip one
can realize what wonderful feats in rail-
road building has been accomplished in
late years. On some parts Of the line the
grade goes up to 430 feet to the mile.
The track winds around the mountain
e. ~ 1Ic ~
tenderfoot with terror. yet heavy ore
trains are taken down to the smelters in
Deadwood every day. The great Hills
are full of wealth and new mines are be-
ing opened every week.
At Portland, the Bald Mountain sta
tion, Major Fairbanks Joined our party
and we all went by train to Terry, thence
by stage to Lead, where the entire party
were the guests of Henry Schmitz to
dinner. From Lead to Deadwood on the
narrow gauge, about 81 miles, and our
mountain climbing ended.
Dear reader. if you have never been in
a big stamp mill, where 500 stamps are
crushing the ore into dust, then you have
never been in the noisiest place in the
world. You may yell and shout at the
top OF your voice but you can't hear
yourself. Congressman Knowles yelled
in my ear but l heard nothing but the
incessant roar of the great stamps.
Wednesday evening we left for Rapid
City. and at Sturgis on the way, our old
friend H. G. Ash. Senator Bradley and
many others were at the depot to greet
the Governor. At Rapid City many
friends were at the depot to greet the
Governor, and generous hospitalit, was
extended by Col. J. NJ. Woods. which
was regretfully declined owing to other
arrangements.
At Rapid City the Governor met many
enthusiastic admirers. After delight
full drive out to Col. Woods big ranch
with DR.. McGillicuddy of the School of
Mines, and Col. Woods. as guides. the
Governor met a number Of lawyers from
Dead wood and Rapid who are attorneys
in celebrated requisition case, and the
facts in the case were set forth by said
attorneys. The Governor desired to deal
Justly in the matter but comply strictly
with the law.
Rapid City is the great stock center
and is Il tlourish,ng town. There we met
Mr. Herman, prosperous merchant,
and brother to Mr.. Herman of Canton.
At o'clock a stage load of Rapidites
accompanied the Governor to the depot,
which is over mile from the business
center of the town, and we started south.
One of the grand sights from the east
side of Rapid is the Harvey peak range,
which looms up in rugged majestic
ridges and spurs until old Harneys peak
forms the center. with an altitude of
5000 feet. The Harney peak range is
one of the three oldest formations in the
United States. Harney peak range loomed
up out of the waters countless ages ago
before the Rocky Mountains. The B. Il
NJ. railroad runs from Hot Springs up !