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, rae or color,
and SO Mrs. Aston and her decend-
ants together with the Episcopal
diocese. were left with the proverbial
elephant, the building standing
s%houletted 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 N 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 ad-
dition, which could be easily
laid to the building. The building
and the ten acres of ground is un-
%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 subscrip-
ton, or by direct tax. The latter, il
the burden were put upon the entire
county, would be but a trife to each
property owner, and that, therefore,
would seem 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 their
next meeting. and have it thoroughly
discussed. 1t might not be amiss to
call the attention of Mr.. Carnegie to
the matter and give that gentleman
g chance to donate Rapid CITY the
price Of this building, or TO give to
it the equivalent in q Public Library.
This matter is mentioned in passing
as d requisite that must come, soon
er or later to Greater Rapid City.
The Exodus to the Homcsteads.
There has been this week q YER
itaBl exodus to the homesteads con-
tingent to Rapid City and especial
ly to the Cheyenne country and be-
yond. Probably more than a half
hundred people of this city, whom it
is Just now up to to make good with
the government to have and to hold
their homesteads, are compelled to
getsout 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 destil.
tory way, and at the end OF this
v~ascilating period they were allowed
ito prove up. But that time is past
and gone with all and many other
privileges that used to go with
frontier life. The abandon of
ranching Is indeed fast being closed
in upon, and to hold a claim it is
absolutely required that the home
slender make absolutely good with
Uncle Sam. To commute at the end
of fourteen months you must abso-
5lutely reside on the land eight
months of that period. You may
live thee continuously for five years
III you SO desire, and then the gov
5ernment deed will be ready IL you
are alive. Hence this week many
business men babe farewell to BUSH
ness cares and went forth with camp
odtfts to serve out their time. 1t
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
arb certainly wise for as was in
tended. there will be more actual
practical settlers, and less specu-
flation. which has heretofore worked
against the settling up of all new
countries. There will come a time
when the homesteaders If this year
VIII be glad that they were, required
to.s get out and endure tile incon-
%yeniences Of the frontier, and the
open prairies, for when they shall
have proven up they will have land
that was well worth while, their
Effort land that within a period
Oh two years at least. that will be
worth $40 per acre. 1t is alto
gather 9 business proposition and ia
s9 regarded by shrewd buiness men,
Who well know that within a year
there will be no land here to be
hid for an eight months outing.
y They are not listening to the de-
Tuition OF a homestead by an Irish
nan. What II a homestead,
Mikee?' says Dennis. Don't know
81 I can ell yez," says Mike, but Its
this way. The government bets yez
$50 acres OF land agin $14 that yez
cen't live on It foive years. II We
sdoethe land Is yourn. II We don't
the government wins the money.
So 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.