The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-03-06
~ THE HILLS COUNTRY.

generous people, it would be strange
Indeed if a tenderfoot did not feel
the inspiration to write OF this won
derland and its charming citizens.
While the Ice King has beer having
his innings on the piains-both east
and west of the '.Big Muddy'i-in
this portion Of Gods country the
winter has been most delightful, and
but a few times has the mercury
deigned to drop down to zero. Dur
ing the past week o%yercoats and s'sich
hxins'' have been unnecessary, and
one could easily imagine that May.
with its gentle breath and life giving
attributes held the boards. But con-
Sulting the almanac dispels the illus
ion. and we are compelled to call it
February.
While all of the Black Hills towns
are touched by romantic nature, it is
probable that Dcadwood and Lead
hold the belt for scenic and pictur-
| esQue environment, and one can hard
ly realize that these pulsating AFTER
les, whose product is the precious
metals, is an integral part of the
great prairie stretching from their
feet in almost endless sweep eastward
to and beyond the Big Sioux, and
known as South Dakota. The trans
formation is complete, and the erich
est hundred miles on EARTH is a roy
al part of the Sunshine State"
Deadwood is crowded in between
mountains whose domes seem to
pierce the sky, and the narrow can
yon, failing to give for city Of
over five thousand souls, the resi-
dences are charmingly perched above
each other-terrace upon terrace, up
the steep mountain sides, thus pre-
senting a bewitchingly picturesque
scene, and, when the lights illmui-
nate this enchanting vision, n can
easily dream Of oriental splendor, and
draw inspiration for a modern Arab
ian Nights Deadwood is in the
heart Of the Hills, and here is CEN
tered its varied moneyed interests.
Capitalists, mining and cattle kings
hold full sway while lesser lights il
Illuminate the scene and present a pic
ture Of dazzling brilliance.
Perched just above 1T, some eight
hundred feet, and less than three
miles away, is the greatest mining
camp in the United States. And
Lead, with its 5000 souls, with its
great Homestake Mine, that has pro-
duced over n hundred million of the
yellow boys" and that is now
crowding ten million yearly. and that
employees quite three thousand hands.
Lead, that has other propositions
that command the attention of the
mining world. is growing rapidly in
all commercial lines, and is fast
crowding on the heels of Deadwood
the future great. With the posi-
tive assurance that the Homestake
has ore blocked out'' to last at least
years at its present capacity,
with the Hidden Fortune mine
adjoining the Homestake-now ac-
5ually shipping ore, and with the
Ore Hondu, on the other side of the
IN the market with ore, |
Lead has a future exceptionally {
and this writer predicts that {
n a few brief years it will have the |
argest population Of any city in the :
state.
AT Belle Fourche-about 30 miles
rom Deadwood-they lay claim to
the greatest cattle shipping 9
market in the us. And last fall !
one hundred thousand grass fat :
oeeves went from there to eastern =
markets. Belle Fourche is ''on the
its altitude being about
900 feet above the level of the sea.
And yet. Notwithstanding biologists
aid no, they have an artesian well Q
ess than 600 feet deep that has 60 c
pounds pressure, and easily supplies {
he town with an abundance OF good Y
water and fire protection as well. I
F -
Custer-one or the highest towns
n the Hills-is beautifully situated. '
t is on a broad plateau, surrounded ;
~ mountains and delights the eye :
With IT'S broad streets, cosy residenc- 2
IS and general air of thrift. From :
'ere a fine view is obtained of Har- :
Peak, the highest point in the =
Hills, being over 5000 feet above the :
level. 1t is the oldest town in !
be Hills, and many are the tales of
exciting experiences with hostile In
'ians and Uncle Sans troops, when
he latter drove the first settlers out =
With the bayonet. 1t was settled d
while still Indian land, and it would c
~. Al~.- L