The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-04-27

Here is where the United States and
the said Mrs. Aston came to the part
ing Of the ways. For the government
knows no sect religion, race or color,
and so Mrs. Aston and her decend-
ants together with the Episcopal
diocese, were left with the p%roverbial
elephant, the building now standing
shouletted against the northern sky
line of the hills.
But Mrs. Astor deceased, may yet
become a benefactor to Rapid City
in that the city with the help of
the county, perhaps, may have one Of
the best hospitals in the state. One
objection that the government had,
that of water, has been overcome
in the plating of North Rapid, and
the laying of water mains to that adj
dition, which could now be easily
laid to. the building. The building
and the ten acres of ground is I'M
derstood to be owned now by the
Episcopal diocese, of which Bishop
Hare of Sioux Falls, is in charge.
1t is believed that this property
could now be purchased at a fairly
nominal figure, but how? The city
is not at this time in shape to do
much for the project. hence if it
were purchased, it would ESSENTIALLY
have to be done either by snhscrip-
[tion or by direct tax. The latter, If
the burden were put upon the entire
county, would be but a trifie to each
property owner, and that, therefore,
would to be the most feasible
plan, provided other and better plans
cannot be suggested. 1t is suggested
that the Commercial Club of Rapid
City take up this matter at theil
next meeting, and have 1T thoroughly
discussed. 1t might not be amiss tc
call the attention OF Mr.. Carnegie to
the matter and give that gentleman
a chance to donate Rapid Ciy the
price Of this building, or to give to
it the equivalent in a Public Library,
This matter is mentioned in passing
as q requisite that must come, soon
er or later to Greater Rapid City.
The Exodus to the Homesteads.
There has been this week a YER
itabl exodus to the homesteads con,
tingent to Rapid City and especial
ly to the Cheyenne country and be;
You'd. Probably more than a hall
hundred people of this city, whom II
is just now up to to make good with
the government to have and to hold
their homesteads, are compelled tc
get out OF town and go out and make
the necessary improvements re.
quired by the land department. Time
was, when they could go and come
in six months or in any old desal
tory way, and at the end OF this
vascilating period they were allowed
to prove up. But that time is past
and gone with all and many Other
privileges that used to go with
frontier life. The abandon o.
ranching is indeed fast being closed
In upon. and to hold a claim it is
absolutely required that the home.
steader make absolutely good with
Uncle Sam. To commute at the end
lof fourteen months you must abso.
iutely reside on the land eight
months of that period. You may
live thee continuously for five years
If you SO desire, and then the gov.
eminent deed will be ready il you
are alive. Hence this week many
business men babe farewell to bust.
ness cares and went forth with camp
outfits to serve out their time. II
was gratifying to note that the ma
jority Of these men went out pre-.
pared to do experimental farming
that they may learn what the land
with intelligent cultivation will do
These provisions Of the department
are certainly wise for as was in.
tended, there will be more actual
practical settlers, and less specu.
lation. which has heretofore worked
against the settling up OF all new
countries. There will come a time
when the homesteaders Of this year
Will be glad that they were required
to get out and endure the incon-
v%eniences OF the frontier, and the
open prairies, for when they shall
have proven up they will have land
that was we'll worth while. their
effort. land that within a period
OF two years at least, that will be
worth $40 per acre. 1t is alto.
getther . business proposition and il
50 REGARDED by shrewd buiness men,
who we'll know that within q veal
there will be no land here to be
had for an eight months outing.
They are not listening to the de.
fnition Of q homestead by an Irish.
man. What Ia q homestead
Mixer says Dennis. Don't know
ez can ell yez,' says Mike, bv: IT.
lthtsKaysT The government bets yer
(160 acres of land agin $14 that yez
cant live on II foive years. IL We
DO the land Is yourn. II ye don't
the government wins the money.
The Story Of the Tenderfoot
The youthful hero had been to see
his bst girl and they had held down
the sofa till long after midnight.
They had discussed their prospects