Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-08-13
senator Pettierew's VISIT.

SOAobS1
Senator r. F. Pettigrew, the senior
member of South Dakota in the nation
al senate, came in on the evening train
on Monday last. His coming was un-
announced, as he wisiIe.ii il understood
that his visit to the Black Hills at this
time has no political significance. He
set forth the object Of his trip at an in
formal meeting at the court house in
the evening. There was, contrary to
expectations, a large gathering of our
people, who no doubt thought to hear a
political speech, as it was we'll known
that the gentleman was a pronounced
and able advocate Of the doctrine of a
larger use of the white metal in the
currency Of the country. In this they
were soon undeceived as he merely came
to talk with the PEOPLE in regard to the
new order creating a forestry reserva-
ton for the better protection Of the tim
Der in the Black Hills. He announced
his readiness TO answer all questions
touching the law and the regulations as
he understood them, and explained to
his auditors the benefits which would
accrue to the people at large, under the
system which the government had in
~augurated for the better protection Of
the growing timber on the public do
main, the absence Of which the past
few years had shown to be so much de-
manded.
1t was for the purpose of getting an
expression Of the feelings and opinions
Of the people direct upon a matter in
which they we're so vitality concerned.
If the new law as it stood was u~nsatis-
factory to the people he would gladly
hear and consider any amendments or
notifications and do his utmost to have
such changes made as would enure to
the benefit of the people of the Hills.
The concensus Of opinion Of the people
generally seemed to be, that the lack
of system which characterized every
phase Of the saw mill business thus far,
was extremely detrimental to-the inter-
ests Of the bona fde residents of the
mining section, which embraces almost
entirely the timbered portion Of the
Black Hills. and they welcomed the
change. and approved Of the appoint
ment Of resident timber wardens, to see
that The provisions Of the law were
strictly carried out.
Our people have long since perceived
that the methods which have attended
the utilization Of the timber in every
district in the Hills has been, to put il
mildly, very damaging to our interests
in every way. In the first place it has
seemed that every saw mill owner has
felt it incumbent upon him to sci
his mill where all Of the saw dust must
inevitably 60 into the creek because
unless this was done the fish would not
all be killed, the water would not be
poisoned and their mission as destroy
ers of everything which was good, and
sweet, and beautiful, would not be com
plete. Again, they have seemed i'll a
ease until they had slashed down all the
good timber within q radius of 3 or
miles and allowing at least two thirds
of it rot on the ground. There are
many more objections, to the ways in
which so many people delight to SAY
wood, bat as we have now probably
seen the last of it, we will simmer dowI
and say no more.
During the senator's visit to the Hill
one very important item in the fores
reserve subject has been settled. There
are many good farms and ranches in
cluded within the forest reserve, settled
upon before the survey was made. L
has been a question whether there i
any law by which title can be obtained
Senator Pettigrew telegraphed Commits
sioner Hermann Saturday asking hin
this question and received the following
answer, which he read to the audience
WASHINGTON, ID. g., August 8, '9S.
Hon. II. Il. Pettigrew, Deadwood, y. d..
Homestead claimant car perfect hi
claim if settlement was made prior t
reserve and he can make entry az SOC
as the lands are surveyed. lie VIII no
be excluded.
BINGER HERMANN, Commissioners.
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