Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-06-26
The woodmsn,s Excursion.

The Woodmen's Excursion.
The excursion to the Wonderful Wind
Cave, under the auspices of the Custer
Camp of the NJ. w. A. was, In all re-
spects, a most pronounced success. The
excursion party left the city in private
c~onveyances on Tuesday morning and
reached their destination between IL
four tickets were presented at the en-
trance Of the cave, and the party, under
the care Of six com petent and courteous
guides entered upon their FIVE hour
tour, and nine mile journey through the
most delightful, and by far the most
wonderful subteranian cavern in the
world. The SURPRISING grandeur of the
scenes presented were an inspiration to
all, and upon entering a large and es-
pecially attractive chamber, the party
were both astonished and pleased to
observe the suggestive letters. M. W. A.
elegantly and ornamentally fashioned
from the native ave formations, in open
view before them. Here a halt was
called, and the party seated, after which
the pleasing fact was announced by
Manager Stabler, or jolly John, a name
by which he is Familiarity known, that
this magnificent chamber had been
named, and for all time would be known
as "Woodmens Hail." in honor of Black
Hills camp, No. 1870, NJ. w. A. of Custer
City, and that it would on this occasion
be formally dedicated. Rev. Kendall,
| of the Custer NJ. L. Church, being call
ed upon by Mr.. Stabler. delivered the
dedicatory address, and in behalf Of the
camp, accepted the elegant and impos.
ing native structure. The address,
while it was wholly impromptu, was
eloquent, impressive and appropriate.
He referred to the peculiar fitness of
the hall for the worthy purpose to which
it was being dedicated that the Wood
men had already captured about all
there was on the surface Of the earth,
and must therefore now, of necessitv.
place the leaven within the lump which
was to conquer the whole earth inside
and out. Like the earth the order was
not only firm, but it threw the nourish-
ment which was to sustain life. and
cheer and gladden. the heart.
After the close of the address, an in
spring song followed, and the party
passed on, visiting the prominent at
fractions Of the great cavern in the fol
lowing order: Brides Chamber, Snow
ball Room, Post Office, White Room,
Opera, Devils Lookout, Millions Study,
SIMPSONS Palace, Swiss Scenery, Queens
Drawing Room, Capital Hall, Odd Fell
lows Hall, Confederate Cross Roads,
Nasby's Dome, Kimball Music Hall,
Monte Chris;o's Palace, Assembly Room,
Crown Chamber, Council Chamber,
Workmen's Hall, G. A. r. Hall, X. of T.
Hall, Tabernacle, Pearly Gates, Saints
Rest, Parlor, Alpine Way, Fair Grounds,
Marble Quarry and Tennis Court.
II was 6 o'clock in the evening when
the party emerged from the cave, after
their long journey feeling as light and
buoyant as they did upon entering it,
the rapturous delight inspired by the
matchless grandeur Of the scenes within
seeming to preclude the possibility Of
weariness or fatigue.
Nearly ell of the party having gone
prepared to enjoy the luxury of camp
ing out, tents were erected, upper
prepared and eaten with a relish not
enjoyed within the walls Of human
habitatious, after which the beds were
made, and soon the soft and p~laiptive
snore of the merry picknickers might
have been heard ~resounding through
the otherwise quiet camp. A number
Of the party who evince a fondness for
the dance, "tripped the light fantastic"
TO pleasing music at the Hotel Stabler
until about 2 o'clock in the morning
when a storm came up, which made it
a trife unpleasant for those who had
retired to rest in the tents, the wind be-
ing so violent as to threaten the destruc
ton of the tents. The merry dance
was thus suddenly closed and the par
Elephants turned their attention to the
protection of the tents, in which a
goodly number Of ladies were lodged
for the night, all of whom were forced
to leave their quarter on account of an
inflow Of water from without, caused by
the heavy fall of rain. One Of the tents
occupied by w. A, Petch and w. A.
Nelson unfortunately collapsed and its
occupants being caught in its folds, were
carried down the hill, which was prob
ably as unpleasant and disagreeable to
| them as it was amusing to the balance
of tho party.
The party returned on Wednesday
evening, and all express themselves as
being more than pleased with the trip
and its delightful experiences. They
were delighted with the courteous
treatment which they received from
Mr. Stabler, who they all say is fairly
entitled to the name Of Jolly John, to
which they think it might be proper to
combine Herewith the word urbane or
afable, to make it moro binding. The
party unite in pronouncing the cave the
greatest natural attraction e%xtant, and
the most delightful place to visit to be
found anywhere within the broad
realms of tout of doors"
"